Patrick to promote plan for education czar at State House hearing

By Globe Staff

Governor Deval Patrick will testify before a legislative committee today to promote a plan to revive the position of education secretary as part of an effort to create a seamless system from pre-K through college.

The education secretary would oversee a new Executive Office of Education that would coordinate policies across early childhood education, elementary and secondary schools, and colleges. The position has been controversial in Massachusetts and has been twice abolished by the Legislature in recent decades because it created conflict and confusion over who oversaw education in the Commonwealth.

Patrick’s bill would give the education secretary narrowly tailored powers over hiring, long-range plans, and budgets. The secretary, for example, would approve the hiring of the commissioners of the boards of early education, elementary and secondary education, and higher education.

The plans, if passed by the Legislature, would not take effect until March. Patrick's plans also call for expanding the three education boards by two members each to encompass more diverse perspectives, he said.

The legislation would also give Patrick the authority to appoint the chairperson of the University of Massachusetts board, and make the education secretary a voting member of that board. Currently, the board's members vote on the chairperson. In December, Stephen P. Tocco, an appointee of Governor Mitt Romney, stepped down as chairman under pressure from Patrick.

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