Educators Discuss State of Education Within the State and the Nation

A panel of state and local education officials answered questions about the state of education Saturday at New Bedford's Bethel A.M.E. Church as part five of a six-part black history series.

Prior to the discussion, the film Waiting for Superman was shown to offer a glimpse at the state of education on a national level.

Massachusetts Education Secretary Jim Peyser delivered the keynote address, where he focused on the importance of lifting the cap on charter schools and providing more families with a choice in education. He said charter schools are allowed to offer a different experience than a traditional public school and that can contribute to the success of children.

When asked to define excellence later during the panel discussion, Secretary Peyser said it comes down to providing the most options possible.

"If we try to push everybody through the same pathway, we're going to a.) fail a lot of these students badly and b.) we're not going to help them maximize their own opportunity and potential," Peyser said.

Also during the panel discussion, Jason DeFalco, New Bedford Public Schools Chief Academic Officer, was asked about the practice of tracking students throughout the school years to determine what classes they should be placed in and what additional services they should be provided.

DeFalco said the practice was eliminated at New Bedford High School two years ago during the implementation of the turnaround plan. Now, he said, the focus is on student needs.

"We're more focused on the student and what the student needs and providing different creative opportunities for that student to learn the material and less concern about 'you're going on this track, that track, that track,'" said DeFalco.

Additional panel members included Nikki Barnes, principal at KIPP Academy Boston Middle School; Will Gardner, Executive Director at Alma Del Mar Charter School; and Rev. Alvin Riley, pastor at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Newport, RI and Dean of Students at Massasoit Community College.

Panelists fielded questions from the audience of around twenty, and shared the consensus that in order for students to get the most out of their education, parents and educators need to work together.

"As teachers and educators, we have to provide evidence that your students are learning," said Barnes. "As parents, we've got to be on top of their social life, because it is an entirely different world."