Cambridge Educators Are Skeptical of Dukakis School Reform

Local educators are skeptical about the effects of Gov. Michael S. Dukakis' education reform bill and the increased state control of local school policies it would create.

Although floor debate in the legislature will not begin on any education bill for at least a month, the basic elements of the three proposed education reform plans are already extant. Dukakis' bill will be joined by others from the former and present chairmen of the House Education Committee.

All three plans use similar methods aimed at improving elementary and secondary education. They would make local school districts more accountable to the Commonwealth by increasing state funding and requiring schools to submit long range plans to the state Department of Education.

In addition, each plan establishes minimum teacher salaries and teacher evaluations and set up a standardized state-wide minimum skills test for students. However, the Governor's plan establishes teh most state control over local school committees.

Local Difficulty

But while several state educators have praised the Governor's effort, Cambridge school officials have expressed doubt about the efficacy of some of the bill's provisions. "I have a great deal of difficulty" with certain parts of the plan, said Superintendent of Schools Robert J. Peterkin. He added, "I'm not sure the state Department of Education has the capacity to be helpful."

"We can support Gov. Dukakis' bill," said Nancy A. Finklestein, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA). She added that the association had influenced the proposal's content before it was made public, reportedly forcing the Governor to drop a proposal to increase the time for teachers-to receive tenure from three to five years.

Partly because local teachers get relatively good salaries, the Cambridge Teachers Association (CTA) has taken a different position. CTA President Susan Noonan - Forster explained that the proposed minimum salary measures would not have much impact on Cambridge. By next year Cambridge teachers will already meet the minimum salary requirement of $18,000, Forster said.

Hobgoblins

The major point of controversy and local educators is the degree of state involvement in traditionally local decisions which the bill proposes--"the hobgoblin of consistency," according to Peterkin.

This problem, Peterkin said, would pit the ethnically and racially diverse population of Cambridge against those of, for example, Pittsfield residents'. If the bill passes, he would submit his plan to state authorities, but if enough resources existed to develop the plan, Peterkin would not let the Board tell him that "the multi-lingual, multi-cultural education interferes with their computer literacy education."

Present Chairman of the State House Education Committee, Rep. Nicolas A. Paleologos's (D-Woburn) proposal would give money to local school commitees and allow them to use it for "local initiatives."

"There is more sentiment in the House for Rep. Paleologos' plan," Cambridge's delegate to the House. Majority Leader Rep. Charles Flaherry. He explained that representatives wanted local school committees to have more control over their money.

Equity

All local educators felt that the Governor's plan is really designed to help districts with lower standards and not school committees which have already made the commitment to education Peterkin pointed out that while Cambridge spends $46.5 million on 8000 students. Lawrence spends $16 million on 9000 students.

Former Education Chairman Rep. James G. Collins (D. Amherst), said he will stick close to the education reform bill which died last year. His plan will emphasize specific programs which he said will and individual district's special projects, such as gitted and vocational programs.

"I am very optimistic about getting a bill, but will we get a-bill which really does the job or is just a symbolic gesture?" Collins said. He is less optimistic that the "window for opportunity for education is closing."