Swift seeks board's backing for education reform efforts

Lt. governor calls for MCAS tutoring

by Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff

Lt. Gov. Jane Swift

he leadership of public colleges and universities will be important in the building of a seamless "K through 16" system, Lt. Gov. Jane Swift told the Board of Higher Education at its Sept. 19 meeting in the Mullins Center.

     It was the first regular meeting of the board since alumna Judith Gill, '72, was named its chancellor last month.

     "Education reform has always been about a shared sense of community and commitment," said Swift, who was recently named "education czar" by Gov. Paul Cellucci. She called on higher education to support the common-wealth's efforts to improve elementary and secondary education.

     Swift said that two ways the Cellucci administration is looking to support education reform are the developments of alternative certification programs for new teachers and of two state teaching centers.

     "We intend to continue with standards-based reform, including the MCAS... We have a huge challenge this year," she said. Swift announced that she and Cellucci will be convening a conference on community service later this fall. She said the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts has agreed to sponsor the event and asked the board to co-sponsor it. Board chair Stephen P. Tocco immediately agreed.

     Swift said the Cellucci administration is calling on people around the state to provide community service by volunteering to tutor children who need help on the MCAS. Swift said she would like to see colleges and universities encourage their students become tutors.

     Chancellor David K. Scott also addressed the board, saying, "The three greatest challenges to this university are No. 1, facilities, No. 2, facilities, and No. 3, facilities.
"Half of our faculty will retire over the next 10 years. Without an improvement to the facilities, we will not be able to recruit new faculty.

     "Deferred maintenance issues on this campus alone amount to $400 million."
During the meeting, the board voted to develop a capital plan for the state's public higher education institutions, which could provide as much as $393 million over the next five years. The spending plan is to fund new construction, as well as address deferred maintenance. Members said they intend to file a capital spending bill with the legislature by the beginning of 2003, if not earlier.