Massachusetts Education Gets High Ranks

In the examination of local and state governance of education, one cannot overlook the increasing role of the federal government in setting broad educational agenda that trickle down to all levels. Strong influence over state educational policy began with the plan to implement national testing standards under the administration of President George H. W. Bush. A decade later, his son, President George W. Bush would sign the No Child Left Behind Act into law and impose a national framework under which State and Local Educators and Politician would be required to operate. (1)

Within the context of a national educational policy, a State Department of Education exists to support, assist and regulate the public schools and academic organizations that comprise the state system. It also acts as a collective bargaining entity interacting with the federal congress for funding of educational services through it's state. (2)

The local school districts operate under the constraints of federal policy as well. It is the local government that is chartered with the daily task of putting teachers in classrooms, face to face with their pupils. The local school district pays the water bill, electric, building maintenance, teachers salaries, chalk, and laser pointers. These are the tasks that underpin my local districts vision of working to "foster academic excellence by implementing best practices, improving facilities, appreciating diversity, and requiring accountability."(3)

When asked to assign a subjective ranking It is rare that I cannot envision room for improvement in our schools. Applying the national standards tests, according to our Governor's website, 8th graders in Massachusetts ranked first in the nation, while our 4th graders tied for first place.(4) Given these statistics I am compelled to deliver a ranking of 8 for the state, "with a bullet". Now it's time to "Race For The Top"



1. (n.d). Obama Administration Education Policy. Retrieved from Facts On File: Issues & Controversies database.

2. Website: Massachusetts Department of Education
http://www.doe.mass.edu/mailings/welcome.html

3. Website: Athol-Royalston School District
http://www.arrsd.org/index.php/about-us/splan/68-vs

4. Website: http://devalpatrick.com/accomp.php?idx=4