Massachusetts: State Commissioner Mitchell Chester Dies

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1. jeanhaverhill says:

   June 28, 2017 at 10:50 am

   there were no comments here so I would place one from our “local” (not Boston) newspaper. ” I want to extend my condolences to Mitchell Chester’s family, friends and co-workers. Also, I would have appreciated the comment by Paul Sagan, the chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, if he also acknowledged the fact the 1993 Education Reform Act doubled the state’s funding to local public schools over the seven years after the law’s passage and that laid the groundwork for the significant improvement in Massachusetts public schools.” I think the person was referring to the fact that Sagan gave enormous credit to Chester in this “eulogistic” statement before the Board.

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2. jeanhaverhill says:

   June 28, 2017 at 10:52 am

   so, given the first comment, I appended my own. It is ok if you think harshly about my words; can accept that. “and there were contributions to the improvement of curriculum that came before Chester’s tenure and the original development of MEAP before MCAS… but I can understand why the current BESE gave Chester credit. In other articles not dedicated to a “eulogy” I would bring up other issues but not on this one or on this page. I don’t feel the same way I did the day Scalise died… but I cannot give total praise when I know that people have other agendas…. Scalise’s agenda was “way over the top”…. I will reserve my comments on the DESE and board for another time and another place. Rest in Peace and condolences to his family.

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   • Linda says:

     June 28, 2017 at 7:59 pm

     Scalise, associated with White supremacists, didn’t die. On the other hand, nine Black people praying at their church were murdered by a White supremacist in S.C. Scalise didn’t die because he received premium medical care. On the other hand, thousands of Americans will die from lack of medical care because of his votes in D.C.

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3. jeanhaverhill says:

   June 28, 2017 at 10:58 am

   for some context: Jaime Eldridge is a Senator from Acton MA. He said this past Sunday that there is way too much corporate influence in the legislature (and of course the governor’s office, DESE etc). and he also said “Massachusetts is not as progressive as you think so keep up the pressure”. speaking to activists on a Sunday afternoon we had about 165 “activists” in the audience and Eldridge’s words were greatly appreciated. We also have the DFER groups in MA and they were putting way too much influence into the governor’s office, the legislature and DESE… The governor was out in the Boston Globe Monday praising his “pay for success” and impact bonds. My own city just named a “turnaround” school and the media are praising the city for the “grant” of funds but readers here know what that means for the school. The policies that I dislike will continue and there are years of hard work ahead.

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