Sec. of Education announces key programs to educate
Gateway Cities' youth
One of MBA immediate past President Richard P. Campbell's
objectives for the 2011-12 association year was involving the
Massachusetts Bar Association as part of conversations related to
the commonwealth's Gateway Cities -- those mid-sized cities whose
residents are experiencing significantly higher rates of
unemployment and a stalemate in social, economic and civic
innovation. A recurring theme at two forums hosted by the MBA on
this topic was the need to close the education gap in those
communities.
Last month, in a letter from Secretary of Education Paul
Reville, Campbell was informed that the FY13 state budget provides
the support necessary to implement two components of the state's
Gateway Cities Education Agenda: $3 million to support enrichment
academies for English language learners and $500,000 to establish
Career Academies.
Writes Reville, "This funding will give educators and other
stakeholders in our Gateway Cities an important opportunity to
enhance existing efforts, implement new strategies, and strengthen
partnerships across communities. These grant programs, coupled with
ongoing initiatives of the Patrick- Murray Administration,
represent another step forward for Massachusetts."
In addition, MassINC, an entity that has conducted extensive
research on these communities over the years, recently issued its
latest report on this issue -- "Building Vibrancy: Creative
Placemaking Strategies for Gateway City Growth and Renewal."