Board of Elementary and Secondary Education: opening remarks

coming in midstream here: former Boston Latin Academy student now speaking about his experience in the Boston Schools...
mom raised five children on her own, working three jobs
"with the stress of parents" being needed at schools to make things happen "if I don't have the proper advocacy, I'm going to fall behind"
eventually graduated from Boston Day and Evening "it's an amazing school"
teachers texted to see if they were going
"smaller communities with more dedicated support"

Mass Parents United advocating for something to be done about Boston by state
I don't try to keep up with stats cited in oral testimony...
comments that superintendent lack experience needed and that superintendent and mayor don't deserve more trust
"things are getting worse every minute"
mother concerned about chance her son has to reach graduate; not in keeping with his white peers
sacrifice in coming to this country was for a chance at a better life, sacrifice will be worth it if they have a high quality education
"always the same groups are left behind" in debates about the budget
will hold elected officials accountable (the Governor? Because he's the only one who has anything to do with this)
parent says she is speaking on behalf of her community, "suffering due to a broken system"
"we practice together, read together, I get them to school on time every day"
know "we have a crisis"
"their future has been decided for them, and that is just not fair"
students no matter their background or skin color, they deserve a quality education
parent graduated from South Boston High in 1984 (? I think?) says she wasn't prepared for college
"appalled to learn that 25 years later, BPS is still failing our students"
watching and waiting for the state's report
father and grandfather has been in this country for 35 years, most of the time in Mattapan
need to start helping parents "who are working ten hours a day or more to make ends meet"
"it is obvious that we need" more experienced help (?) to help the children of our community
"children should be able to create their own future"
how Boston succeeds should be how children are treated in the Boston Public Schools
"ask for immediate help to help the children of Boston"
another came to Boston about the time of busing, Jamaica Plain High
had to take remedial courses in college
"I felt I was not getting the education I deserved back then"
younger brother did not graduate, his son now 21 did not graduate from Boston schools
"generation after generation" and "the cycle need to stop"
failing the kids, generation after generation
"money's not the problem"


Commissioner: set up an advisory commission on the competency determination
held its first meeting on Feb. 3
had initial discussions about the requirements for high school graduation
will meeting in March and April and then will share recommendations


U.S. Census: less than 50 days away
determines how much funding we get for next ten years
encourage everyone to have everyone participate in Statistics in Schools program during the week of March 2-6
contact Commissioner's office if need additional information or concern

Secretary: Census bureau is looking for census takers:
"earn some money and do some good"