City, State Officials Present Educational Reform Plans

Massachusetts education and business leaders joined Cambridge officials in providing a public forum Saturday to discuss three separate state education reform bills.

The three bills focus on the areas of school finance and management, professional certification and pre-school education.

Legislators based their plans partially on the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education (MBAE) plan, titled "Every Child a Winner." The plan was the result of a three-year study conducted by Massachusetts business leaders.

Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld '66, the state legislature's Joint Committee of Education and the MBAE presented the reform proposals.

State secretary of Education Piedad Robertson, who presented Weld's plan, said the goal of the three groups is to merge aspects of the different bills into one proposal by late March.

"We have no interest in going forward with three different solutions," Robertson said, adding that three bills would "confuse and delay" passage of any reform package.

State Rep. Edward Lambert Jr. (D-Fall River) presented the Joint Committee of Education's plan. He stressed the importance of funding to any reform plan.

"We have the goals to reduce property taxes, get equalized support from all communities, and to bring stability to our [K-12] system," Lambert said.

MBAE Director Michael Durney said his group's plan emphasizes decentralization, professional development of teachers and early childhood education.

Panelists, including Cambridge school committee members, parents and students, questioned the presenters on specific aspects of the plans.

Cambridge City Councillors Francis H. Duehay '55 and Alice K. Wolf said they were uncertain whether Cambridge would benefit from the proposed reforms.

Duehay said he fears that additional funding for education will lead to a decrease in other state services.

Wolf said Cambridge will be hurt by its already strong commitment to education if state funds are diverted to needier school systems.

"We spend considerably more than what the foundation level is in any of these proposals," Wolf said. "My concern lies with equity across the system and across the state."

Cambridge Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72 said the forum offered a chance for city residents to "have their impact on how education may change state-wide."

Approximately 35 Cambridge residents attended the meeting at City Hall.