|  As we head back to school, Pioneer's Jim Stergios takes a look at one of our most pressing challenges, Lawrence, where the state covers 99% of the $150m school budget.
Did you know that, in Lawrence, - One of two kids in the Lawrence Public School system do not cross the 12th grade finish line
- Over 4,000 students are on the charter school waiting lists, unable to attend because of limits on the number of students allowed
- The Receiver's plan to place charter operators in charge of district schools will only likely help 1,000 out of 13,000 total students
But there is a way to help these kids now - read about it in Jim Stergios' Boston.com blog Jim's also been busy fighting across the country, along with Jamie Gass, against the Common Core national education standards and federal overreach. Latest stop: Utah, where, testifying before the state legislature, "Stergios criticized the standards as "mediocre," saying they will require English teachers to cut back on literature in favor of works such as "federal bank reports" and computer manuals. He also criticized them for waiting until high school to teach Algebra I." Read the Salt Lake Tribune story or listen to audio of Jim's testimony here at the 111 min. mark. Patch.com has been doing a fantastic job of promoting our newly released Municipal Guide & Utility as part of a series on Per Capita Education Spending to help start local conversations about how their communities are spending taxpayer dollars. Read about Newton, Arlington, Reading and North Reading, and Medford, so far! Read the comments, which make interesting points - find out how your own town compares, and join the conversation! National political columnist Michael Barone is headlining our 2012 Better Government Competition Awards Dinner, and we want you to be there! Click here to find out all the details, and buy your ticket today! Pioneer's Josh Archambault told the Worcester Business Journal that Massachusetts' new health care law won't save money because it fails to engage consumers. And the Boston Globe reported a 2nd quarter earnings plunge for health insurers. "Josh Archambault warned of layoffs at health plans if their businesses deteriorate. “We’re in a situation where state and federal governments are dictating to the insurers what the market should be. If this trend continues and health care utilization rises, whether they’ll be able to make money is up for grabs.”" Visit our website Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook DONATE |
