Massachusetts Votes on Education in November

As a former educator, I am looking at my choices carefully regarding their education policies. I am looking for candidates who believe in strong standards, accountability, reducing unfunded mandates, and fiscal responsibility. All levels of government will have an influence on the quality, affordability, and sustainability of our education system.

Governor Patrick is facing an interesting race with two challengers. I was not a supporter of Patrick in the previous election. As an independent, or unenrolled voter as we are known in Massachusetts, my one hope for the Democratic governor is that he would be a supporter of education in Massachusetts. Sadly, this one hope did not work out. A Democratic governor with a Democratic legislature should have been able to move forward with a strong agenda to improve education in this state. Instead, our state chose money instead of quality education standards by dropping our Massachusetts state standards in favor of the National Common Core Standards. The federal government rewarded us with additional funding. After being a strong supporter of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), Patrick abandoned his support in order to support President Obama's Race to the Top agenda. It is hard for those who support a strong educational system to see where Governor Patrick has achieved progress on education.

This would be a great year for a strong Republican opponent to run on education. Charlie Baker has come out against adopting the National Common Core Standards, but has failed to make a stronger case for how Massachusetts would opt out or find ways to improve our educational system now that we have agreed to the system. Mr. Baker's views on education are easier to accept than Governor Patrick's ideas. As an independent voter that values education, I would like to have the opportunity to vote for someone with strong solid views on education. I am tired of candidates who are only capable of promising not to do what the other candidate is doing. Baker still has a few months to articulate his positions on education. This would be a way to move voters into his camp for this election.

As a voter in the third Congressional district, it is refreshing to have options this year. Even when I like a politician, I think it is unhealthy for them to take the job for granted. Congressman Jim McGovern could benefit from a reminder that he works for the district as a representative of the voters. He ran unopposed in the last election and I think that was a mistake, even for those who support him. If you want a Congressman that listens to the voters, knowing that the voters can put him out of work is an important motivator in getting him to listen. McGovern has been a huge supporter of Race to the Top. However, he has failed to answer voter concerns about how lowering the standards in Massachusetts, as required by the federal government, supports his stated values of improving education. He was our voice in Congress on this issue and many of us do not understand his position that money trumps standards.

There is an interesting range of Republican candidates running against McGovern this season. The primary, Tuesday September 14, will list five Republican candidates on the ballot. Chipman, Delle, Herr, Lamb, and Stopa all have the chance to present voters with a small government, state controlled message on education. This message has been discussed at Republican debates and, if brought forth into the debates with McGovern, could be a strong issue. Republicans can demonstrate a strong policy on education as it is hard to justify trading lower standards for education dollars.

Danielle Gregoire and Stephen Levy are opponents in the Massachusetts State Fourth Middlesex District. Ms. Gregoire has voted to lower Massachusetts education standards and in return failed to obtain funding in the last round of Race to the Top for her district. Mr. Levy opposes lowering the standards and the federal bribes to force states to conform to federal control. Ms. Gregoire has been strong in her support of the National Education Association, but weak on improving public education standards in our state.

Voters in Massachusetts have choices regarding education this year.

"Common Core Standards Initiative" Massachusetts Department of Education

"Marlborough 2009 MCAS Scores" Massachusetts Department of Education

"MCAS Information" Assbet Valley Technical High School