High Tech Council, Race to the Top Coalition Impressed by Ed Reform Bill (State House News Service)

STATE CAPITOL BRIEFS – TUESDAY, NOV. 10, 2009

HIGH TECH COUNCIL, RACE TO THE TOP COALITION IMPRESSED BY ED REFORM BILL
The head of one of the group’s pushing a ballot plan to vastly expand charter schools says the Mass High Tech Council is “favorably impressed” by a charter school and education reform bill drafted by members the Education Committee.   Chris Anderson, the group’s president and former chairman of the state Board of Education, said the bill has a “comprehensive feel to it” and could attract support from some teachers unions.  The council plans to conduct an analysis of the bill and will monitor further legislative consideration of the bill this fall before determining whether to forge onwards with a broader campaign to lift caps on charter schools in Massachusetts.  Anderson said the bill contains phased-in reforms that could be reversed by future legislatures, but also includes capital-related incentives that are advantageous to charter schools.  “It’s comprehensive,” Anderson said of the bill.  “It changes the foundation.  It allows innovation at all levels.  We’re favorably impressed by the leadership of the Education Committee.” A coalition formed to push education reforms and for the state's share of $4.3 billion in Race to the Top stimulus law funds was also "heartened" by the bill's release.  "While we are still learning about the details of the legislation, we are pleased that it appears to contain key elements necessary to help our students, turn around failing schools and make our state eligible for federal Race to the Top funds," the coalition said in a statement.