Patrick extends himself
Governor Patrick isn't likely to please most local officials with his proposed doubling of a budget line item for an extended school day. It would be easier and more popular to concentrate education aid exclusively on the unrestricted Chapter 70 account beloved by cities and towns. But instead, Patrick is boldly targeting millions of dollars for competitive grants that hold real promise for education reform.
With a roughly 5 percent increase in local aid, Patrick has fulfilled his campaign promise not to balance the state budget on the backs of cities and towns. His proposal to spend $13 million on extending the school day by at least 25 percent in some middle and elementary schools means there is less to spread around. But he has decided that the opportunity to provide more time on core subjects and enrichment programs in striving schools is worth the risk of alienating other school systems that don't want or need such innovations. And Patrick's budget still easily exceeds the $175 million statutory increase in general funding for schools that the education reform law requires.
Patrick is using the education budget not so much to make friends as to influence the pace of education reform in Massachusetts. It's the right approach. In many places, there is little hope of closing the achievement gap between rich and poor during the traditional 6.5-hour school day. Ten schools with about 4,700 students are now attacking the achievement gap under a $6.5 million pilot program from last year's budget. Another 4,000 students stand a chance to join them if the Legislature backs Patrick's proposal to double the effort.
Economic development statewide is also at stake. The extended day programs and applications are bubbling up, with the backing of school committees and teachers union officials, from struggling cities like Fitchburg, Fall River, and Chicopee, where there is little hope of attracting high tech and other industries without a well-educated workforce.
Patrick promised he would adopt good ideas advanced by opponents on the campaign trail. He obviously paid attention to primary opponent Chris Gabrieli, who advocates for a longer school day through his nonprofit Massachusetts 2020 school reform organization. Gabrieli says that Patrick's budget proposal helps to keep Massachusetts in the forefront of a national movement for a longer school day.
After years of painful local aid cuts, Patrick pledged he would stand up for cities and towns. But he didn't offer a blank check. The longer school day proposal rewards enterprising school districts while supporting the state's education and economic priorities. In a small line item, Patrick has accomplished multiple goals.
