WASHINGTON, D.C. – Education leaders from the Center for American Progress and Massachusetts 2020, the education non-profit spearheading the initiative with the Massachusetts Department of Education, will discuss a first-in-the-nation initiative to increase learning time and how it can be a model for other states. Conference topics will include the mechanics of the Massachusetts initiative from planning to implementation as well as the early impact of the program on students and teachers. Education leaders will also discuss important lessons learned that can benefit other communities, states and policymakers seeking to improve educational outcomes for our nation’s students.
The No Child Left Behind Act established rigorous high stakes testing standards for public school students. These students have been challenged to learn more and demonstrate their knowledge while administrators and teachers have been challenged to develop better strategies to help their students achieve these higher goals. Massachusetts has addressed the issue unlike any other state in the nation. In June 2006, Massachusetts dedicated $6.5 million in the state’s budget to fund a pilot initiative in 10 public schools that began in the fall of 2006. These schools have not only expanded the amount of learning time provided to students by 30 percent but have also redesigned the school day to improve student instruction and engagement. Currently, 4,700 Massachusetts public school students participate in this redesigned school day.
WHO:
Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA)
John Podesta, President and Chief Executive Officer, Center for American Progress
Cynthia G. Brown, Director of Education Policy, Center for American Progress David Driscoll, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Education
Hilary Pennington, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress and Co-founder and Vice Chair, Jobs for the Future
Chris Gabrieli, Co-founder and Chairman, Massachusetts 2020
WHERE:
Center for American Progress
1333 H St. NW
Washington, DC 20005
Map & Directions
Nearest Metro: Blue/Orange Line to McPherson Square or Red Line to Metro Center
WHEN:
January 8, 2007
9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m
Media are invited to attend all or part of the conference
WHAT: Senator Kennedy (D-MA) will join the Center for American Progress and Massachusetts 2020 for a half-day conference to discuss a bold new education initiative.
Conference Schedule
January 8, 2007
9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Keynote Address Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA)
Session I: State Leadership in Expanding Learning Time
Panelists:
Hilary Pennington, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress and Co-founder and Vice Chair, Jobs for the Future
Chris Gabrieli, Co-founder and Chairman, Massachusetts 2020
David Driscoll, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Education
Moderator:
Cynthia G. Brown, Director of Education Policy, Center for American Progress
Session II: Local Voices on Implementation
Panelists:
Paul Toner, Vice President, Massachusetts Teachers Association, former President, Cambridge Teachers Association
Robin Harris, Principal, Fletcher-Maynard Academy
Dr. James Caradonio, Superintendent, Worcester Public Schools
Moderator:
Jennifer Davis, Co-founder and President, Massachusetts 2020 Lunch will be provided