Council In the News Index

Join the Education Revolution (Mass High Tech)

By Christopher Anderson
Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Even in a difficult economy, a technology company with an excellent product, proven track record and demand in the marketplace has the opportunity to expand. For years that same potential for growth was unavailable in one of Massachusetts’ most important sectors: the public education system.

The Massachusetts High Technology Council played a key role in the recent passage of the groundbreaking Achievement Gap Act. It was passed in part to better position the commonwealth for federal Race to the Top education stimulus funding, a carrot offered by President Obama to encourage charter-school growth and other reforms on the state level.

While Massachusetts’ prospects of securing federal funds remain uncertain, the state’s renewed commitment to charter schools is already taking hold. There are more than 23,000 students on charter-school waiting lists, which are created through a heartbreaking lottery process. But thanks to the Achievement Gap Act, charter school operators are now scaling up their successful models. In all, the new law will create 5,500 new charter seats while expanding other innovative school models.

There will always be charter-school deniers. But that opposition is based on politics, not facts. A recent study by the Boston Foundation showed that performance at Boston’s charter schools not only outpaces that of traditional public schools but is on par with schools in the much wealthier Brookline system.

The perfect example of this new movement is Roxbury Preparatory, a Boston charter school that has consistently performed near the top of the state. Instead of being an island of excellence for a lucky 250 students, Roxbury Prep aims to become a network of five schools serving more than 2,000 kids across middle and high school.

However, charter school expansion alone will not help Massachusetts students compete with the world’s best. Key stakeholders, such as the technology community, must take a more active role in the education system. It means making political, financial and human resource commitments to innovative schools and proven education programs. Charter schools, for example, need funding, computers, mentors and space. Investing in proven charter schools is a smart move for any technology employer because it will help stimulate the pipeline of skilled workers needed for future growth.

Charter schools are not the only examples of successful programs in need of support. The Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative’s advanced placement program has expanded AP programs in underperforming districts. This privately funded $13 million program has dramatically raised AP performance, especially among minority and low-income students. Another promising program is the Lynch Leadership Academy, funded by former Fidelity guru Peter Lynch. It prepares principals from Catholic, public and charter schools to lead urban schools.

In Boston, Superintendent Carol Johnson has initiated turnaround plans in 12 underperforming schools. New principals have been hired with broader powers to reinvent school culture and curriculum. Technology leaders need to support the superintendent in providing advice to principals in underperforming schools.

While it may be sporting to focus on Massachusetts’ prospects in the Race to the Top, it is critical to point out that the reason the council supported the reform bill was to transform an antiquated and unfair system. The long-term benefit of reform will be the expansion of innovative school models, more tools for administrators and enhanced support for teachers.

Even with the Achievement Gap Act, for Massachusetts to maintain its global education leadership position the technology community — rather than just talking the talk — needs to start walking the walk on education reform.