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SOMERVILLE AT LARGE
March 21, 2006
Almost every item in this issue will fall under one or more of the “Special Issue” topics -
especially if “learning” is construed broadly, to include “new things to learn about.”
UPCOMING EVENT: EMERGENCY TOWN MEETING TO RESTORE THE RULE OF LAW
Monday, March 27, 6:30-8:30pm
You are always welcome to drop by. If you first want to make sure I will be here, call me at
617-722-2810. To contact me about state business, you can also email me at:
denise.provost@state.ma.us
I will also have office hours in Somerville at the following times and locations, and I look
forward to meeting with you then, if it is more convenient:
Friday, March 24. 8:30-10am. Bickford's, 345 Broadway.
My introduction to the Legislature comes at a time of high activity, much to do with the
formulation of the House Budget, and much to do with the pending Health Care legislation.
Many of you will have read in the press about the deadlock between the House and the Senate
on Health Care Reform, and the subsequent slow movement toward compromise. We are
presently advised that a compromise bill should be coming from Conference Committee to a vote
by House this Wednesday, March 22.
What you may not have read about, unless you are addicted to the State House News Service,
is that on March 2, 2006, Speaker DiMasi called together the Democrats in the House for a
Caucus on the bill, offering his perspective, and seeking a sense of the membership on where
to go with the compromise negotiations. I felt intensely grateful for the outpouring of support
by my colleagues in the House for preserving universal coverage and employer contribution as
essential elements of any compromise bill. House members also want to ensure that high
deductible/low coverage insurance products do not became the 'default' health care coverage for
presently uninsured working people.
Soon, I should have the final bill available for all who request it.
The engrossment of this bill is another step towards our goal of universal access to voluntary,
high quality early education and care for the children of Massachusetts. DEEC will now take
over licensure and oversight duties formerly divided between the Department of Education
(DOE) and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), and applicable budget
monies from those departments will follow. Direct services will continue to be provided as they
are at present, with our current mix of providers: Head Start, home day care, public and private
centers, school-based programs, etc.
DEEC is also charged with evaluating system capacity, increasing professional development, and
improving overall quality Local Early Education. A new Board of Early Education and Care will
conduct needs assessments, adopt standards, and oversee rate structures for providers. Local
Early Education and Care Councils will continue to provide their valuable community input into
the process, and sustain valuable connections to local families.
I have asked Superintendent Pierantozzi to review the impact of this proposal on Somerville, and
have been most impressed with his quick and subtle grasp of the intricacies of funding formula
changes. I've also forwarded this bill to the members of the School Committee, and have
requested their input. My view is that getting the most and the best for Somerville is a
community process _ part of my job is to get information out to all the stakeholders, and do a
lot of listening.
So don't be shy - remember that I do my best job of representing my district when I know what
my district wants.
Yet our standards are evidently not high enough for the chair of the Massachusetts Department
of Education (D.O.E.). A proposal currently being pushed would raise the passing score for the
MCAS, and consequently drive down the pass rate. The National center for Fair and Open
Testing (FairTest) estimates that even a two-point increase in the passing score (to 222) would
drive down the pass rate 12% for low-income students (67% to 55%); reduce it by 13% each
for English language learners (49% to 36%) and for students with disabilities (58% to 45%).
If the state were to increase the MCAS passing score to 240 (the "proficient" level), FairTest
estimates that combined pass rate for all students would drop 30%, from the present 85% to
55%. Yet the federal government continues to pressure states to adopt "proficiency" as the
standard for passing whatever standardized test is in place. At the same time, D.O.E. has noted
a correlation between the imposition of the MCAS requirement and an increase in the high
school drop out rate, by more than 13.5% between the 2002/03 and 2003/04 school years. For
more information, visit www.citizensforpublicschools.org
This grim saga is just another example of how Republican administrations, federal and state,
belie their own slogan of "less government" by increasingly centralizing and bureaucratizing
public education. Decisions by D.O.E. are executive decisions; and the increased concentration
of power in the executive branch is yet another unwholesome trend in both state and federal
government. The next item below profiles an initiative to counter some of the destructive
ideology that is blighting our public education system.
Visit www.stand.org to learn more, to sign up to make sure Somerville
is represented, and to download a Rally Toolkit.
A.) Parole Officer A/B and Transitional Parole Officer: Saturday, May 6
B.) Firefighter, Municipal Service: Saturday, June 10
Please contact my office (617-722-2810) for an examination application.
Friday, March 24. 8:30-10am. Bickford's, 345 Broadway.
I have written in the past about the wonderful programming available at MIT for students as
young as 12. Much of this programming is held on weekends. The High School Special Studies
Program (esp.mit.edu), ongoing now, offers 10 week long courses in dozens of subjects, at a
tiny cost _ yet almost no Somerville students partake. Presumably, most are unaware of the
opportunity.
Come and learn about fun learning activities to do at home and in your neighborhood; find out
about the Early Education and Care programs available in Somerville, for children from birth
to 5 years old. Open Houses for these programs will be held April 3-7.
For more information, call Nancy Holmes, 617-625-6600, ext. 3639.
The Heart Gallery 2006 is hosting a Gallery Opening Breakfast Celebration on Sunday, April
2, 2006 at Jordan's Furniture, 50 Walker's Brook Drive, in Reading, MA, where you can meet
the children and photographers of this year's event. This is a family event, with food,
entertainment, “and lots of fun.”
To RSVP, or for more information, call MARE at 617-54-ADOPT.
An e.newsletter from State Representative Denise Provost
Vol. 1, No. 2
An e.newsletter from Denise Provost, Alderman-at-Large
Vol. 6, No. 3
**SPECIAL ISSUE: KIDS, LEARNING, AND SCHOOLS**
Concerned about our federal government's domestic spying program? Secret prisons, and the
use of torture? Wondering where the violation of civil and human rights in the name of “fighting
terrorism” will end? Then come to this event!
First Church Congregational, 11 Garden Street, Cambridge (across from Cambridge Common)
Featuring:
Congressman Michael Capuano
Professor Mary Culnan, Expert on Privacy and Information Technology
John Roberts, former Executive Director, ACLU of Mass.
Nancy Murray, Education Director, ACLU of Mass.
For more information:
www.aclum.org or 617-482-3170, ext. 321
SOMERVILLE AT LARGE
1) NOTES FROM THE STATE HOUSE
In my haste to get my first "State Side" newsletter sent off, I neglected to add some fundamental
information. Things like: my office number at the State House, which is Room 167. Some of
you have already come by, on Lobby Days, or just when you've been in the neighborhood.
Friday, March 31. 9-10:30am. Diesel Café, 257 Elm Street.
2) EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE: NEW LEGISLATION
On Wednesday, March 15, the House I voted in support of H.4746, an Act Relative to Early
Education and Care. This bill defines the powers and duties of the state's new Department of
Early Education and Care (DEEC), and lays out the administrative infrastructure for increasing
the quantity and quality of early childhood programming. You can access the full text of the bill
at the Early Education for All web site
3) "SUCCESS FOR EVERY CHILD" - A WIN FOR SOMERVILLE?
Several bills now have been filed to revise the formula that the state uses to calculate the funds
distributed to cities and towns for the public schools, known as “Chapter 70 aid.” Only one bill
so far would also increase what is known as the “foundation budget,” the minimum spending
figure per student that every community is obligated to meet. Anyone who would like to see the
full text of the bill can request it by email at: denise.provost@state.ma.us
4) D.O.E. PROPOSES RAISING MCAS PASS SCORE
Most readers probably know that the federal No Child Left Behind Act rates schools (and their
students) on the basis of students scoring at the "proficient " level on state standardized tests.
These tests, however, vary from state to state, as does the particular score deemed to represent
proficiency. Our test, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment (MCAS) is widely regarded
among testing experts to be among the nation's toughest.
5) A CHANCE TO "STAND FOR CHILDREN"
Stand for Children members are bringing more than 1,000 people to the State House on April
26th to demand that the Legislature makes children a top political priority. You can join in
advocating for increased state aid to all local public schools, minimally restored to 2002 funding
levels, adjusted for inflation and enrollment.
6) UPCOMING ENTRY-LEVEL CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS
The last day to apply is March 27!
Application is over-due, but you can still apply and pay a late fee.
7) OFFICE HOURS
I will be scheduling weekly office hours at different locations in Somerville. Please stop by and
join me for a cup of coffee. I look forward to hearing your ideas, questions, and concerns. If
these days/times don't work for you, please give me a call at 617-722-2810 and we can find a
convenient time to meet.
Friday, March 31. 9-10:30am. Diesel Café, 257 Elm Street.
8) SCAP'S THIRD ANNUAL ADDICTIONS FORUM
Somerville Cares About Prevention 3rd Annual Addictions Forum
Where: Somerville High School Auditorium, main entrance
When: Wednesday, March 29, 6-8pm
Who: Youth, Teens, and Adults
Bring: your thoughts, questions, and concerns
For more information: health.groups.yahoo.com/groups/scapopiate
9) M.I.T.- PREMIER EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR SOMERVILLE YOUTH
Right now, my high school sophomore daughter is taking an SAT Preparation Course which
costs only $80, not the hundreds of dollars charged by the big companies in the test prep
industry. Her course takes place not in a vast auditorium, but in personalized small group, to
which students of similar ability have been assigned, based on testing. The course - available
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge - is wildly popular with families
from the wealthy suburbs, but few Somerville High School students attend.
10) SOMERVILLE EARLY CHILDHOOD FESTIVAL: CELEBRATING YOUNG CHILDREN
Bring your little ones to enjoy activities ranging from storytelling to a petting zoo, on Saturday,
April 1, from 10am-1pm. The Early Childhood Festival will be held at the Capuano Early
Childhood Center, 150 Glen Street, in East Somerville.
11) FREE YOUNG ADULT WRITERS PROGRAM
Saturday, March 25, noon-3:30pm
1 ½ hour sessions with a free pizza break
Open to all students ages 13-17; all skill levels welcome
To register, email: yawp2006@yahoo.com
or call 617-695-0075
12) THINKING ABOUT ADOPTION? ATTEND AN EVENT WITH A HEART
A couple of years ago, famed portrait photographer Marjorie Nichols told me about a brilliant
project she was participating in. Agencies that had struggled with of placing older foster children
in loving adoptive homes had come up with a great idea: recruit professional photographers to
create images of these children that let their beautiful spirits shine through. That was the origin
of the first “Heart Gallery,” and it continues to build on its original success.