Board’s vote will help close achievement gap

I would like to applaud the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for their unanimous vote yesterday to adopt the Common Core Standards in English Language Arts and mathematics. The internationally-benchmarked standards is a giant leap towards education reform in the Commonwealth and a brave move that will help level the playing field for all of our students and help us close the achievement gap; while raising the bar for all of our kids. Most importantly, it will go a long way in enhancing college and career readiness.

Our district will aggressively pursue all professional development opportunities related to the new frameworks so that can ensure that our curriculum is of high quality and aligned to the new standards by the start of the 2012-2013 school year.

Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester is to be commended for creating the opportunity to improve the state’s already high standards. We are fortunate to have Commissioner Chester at the helm leading the statewide effort to advance the quality of education for all students across the Commonwealth.