Massachusetts’ Commissioner of Early Education Tom Weber and Secretary of Education Jim Peyser testifying at the State House.
Photo: Alyssa Haywoode for Strategies for Children
“The overarching education objectives of the Baker-Polito administration are to close the achievement gap and strengthen the global competitiveness of Massachusetts’ workforce and economy. In the context of a single gubernatorial term of office, or even two, there is a temptation to focus narrowly on those parts of the public education system where the weaknesses are most pronounced and the ‘return on investment’ is easiest to measure. This short-term bias often inclines policymakers towards a disproportionate interest in reform and improvement within the K-12 system and higher education. But, as those of you on this committee know well, most educational deficits and obstacles begin before a child even enters Kindergarten and, unfortunately, the odds of overcoming them in time to make a real difference in a child’s academic career are frequently long. In pursuing our shared goals, we cannot afford to treat early education as an after-thought.”
From the testimony of Massachusetts Secretary of Education Jim Peyser at a hearing held by the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education, at the State House, September 16, 2015