SPRINGFIELD SUPERINTENDENT AND GOVERNOR APPLAUD VOTE TO ADOPT COMMON CORE STANDARDS FOR MASSACHUSETTS STUDENTS

n July 21, 2010, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted 9-0 to join 27 other states in adopting the Common Core Standards designed to develop a national standard for what is being taught in English and math in the U.S. Practically speaking, this will substantially change and probably eliminate the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to the delight of MCAS critics and dismay of MCAS supporters. The Common Core Standards are favored by the Obama administration and proponents say they will strengthen education in the state while opponents feel it will weaken the state’s already high standards.   Below are statements issued by the Governor and Springfield’s superintendent who are both in favor of the change.

BOSTON – Governor Deval Patrick stated, “Massachusetts leads the nation in public education. Our children perform in the top tier, not just in the country but in the world. I want to keep it that way. That means we have to continue to raise the bar. That’s why we passed the education reform bill, to close the achievement gap once and for all. And that’s why I support the Board’s decision to sign on to the national Common Core standards. These standards will be as strong as the ones we already have in place, and in some cases will be stronger. And they are consistent with our MCAS, which has been and will continue to be a key element of our progress. Common Core will enhance the Commonwealth’s already rigorous standards.”

SPRINGFIELD – Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alan J. Ingram applauded the unanimous vote. “(The) vote to adopt the internationally-benchmarked standards is a giant leap towards education reform in the Commonwealth,” said Ingram. “This brave move will help level the playing field for all of our students and will help us close the achievement gap and raise the bar for our kids. Most importantly, it will go a long way in enhancing college and career readiness for our students.”

       Ingram said the school district will aggressively pursue all professional development opportunities related to the new frameworks. “We will be fully prepared and we will ensure that our curriculum is of high quality and aligned to the new standards by the start of the 2012-2013 school year.”

       The superintendent also praised Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester 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,” he said.

WERE YOU THERE? 

IF NOT, YOU MISSED A

“FIRST” FOR SPRINGFIELD!

By Marjorie J. Hurst

 

 could tell right from the start that Dr. Annie B. Watson’s vision of bringing women together to celebrate their unity would be a success. It was 5:30 p.m. on a Friday evening and the doors didn’t even open to the general public until 6:00; yet women were lining up outside the MassMutual Center eagerly waiting, anxious to be a part of history.

       And history was definitely made in Springfield on June 11th and 12th.  Never before has a conference of this magnitude been envisioned, orchestrated and successfully carried out by women of color in the venue of the MassMutual Center with a line-up of nationally known speakers and recording artists  attracting over 1,000 women for a two-day period.

       Dr. Annie, as she is affectionately called, had a mission to celebrate the power of women united when she founded SURE Women Ministries, Inc. She knows that women are indeed SURE: Strong, Unified, Real, Empowered; and believes all that is needed is for someone to tap into their unchanneled,  collective power. And this conference was just the beginning, she reveals.  But what a beginning!

       From Friday night’s welcome to the praise and worship team, to the liturgical dancers and the unity choir, to award winning Gospel recording artist Vicki Yohe, who not only ministered to the audience in song, but also tugged at their heartstrings with her very personal account of the orphanage she has opened up in Uganda and the 42 African children she has legally adopted. Her strong, soulful voice coupled with her compelling  life story and her altruistic vision were a blessing to the audience and brought many to tears.     

       Ending that spirit-filled first night was Minister Dr. Annie B. Watson with her powerful and stirring call to the women assembled to use their faith to make themselves whole taking as her text Mark 5:25-32. Acknowledging that real women have real issues -- health issues, financial issues, relationship issues -- she exhorted those present to connect to something greater than their circumstances, to rid themselves of the invisible cells that hold them back, and to expand their minds and expand their possibilities. The inspiration of her message brought women to their feet, joining hands, praying, crying, connecting.

       The second day was just as electrifying and began with a unity walk around the MassMutual Center, with hundreds of women  joyously uniting with one another.  Nationally known inspirational speakers, Michelle McKinney Hammond and Lynette Khalfani-Cox followed.  Both were down-to-earth and shared plenty of useful advice as  they bonded with the audience and the audience bonded with them.  At one point best selling author McKinney Hammond advised the audience to “Get over yourself. Take the focus off of yourself and resist the spirit of entitlement.” She went on to say, “God doesn’t owe you anything! Find  some empty vessels to fill and pour out what you have for others.” Amen.

       After a healthy lunch at Montenia’s, Khalfani-Cox, nationally acclaimed “The Money Coach,” was right on the money when she said, “It doesn’t matter how much you earn, there’s no level of income that can’t be outspent.”  She cautioned, if you have overspending tendencies, “accept responsibility for what’s going on with your finances. The only answer is to stop spending so much.” There is no magic pill, she said, “If you are in a hole, stop digging. Get rid of the excess in your life and stop the financial abuse.”

       On a lighter note, there was a “Stepping in Style” fashion show and plenty of vendors showcasing a variety of products for those who were not in financial holes! And there were seminars led by prominent women on topics that continued to hone in on the empowerment of the attendees through education and inspiration. 

       And finally there was the show stopper. National award winning Gospel recording artist Marvin Sapp, who gave his own wrenching testimony of what brought him to write, “Never Would Have Made It.” All I can say is that when he finished that song, you knew that God was surely in the house.

       So, if for some reason you were not there on June 11th and 12th when history was made at the MassMutual Center, I urge you not to make that same mistake next year.   I’m sure Dr. Annie felt what all of the women there felt. The message was clear. This conference was one of empowerment and, hopefully, it was just the beginning.

  (See Events, Community Calendar on website, August 8th, for details on “A Shout Out To SURE Women” with Message by Dr. Annie B. Watson) n