I am posting this for my friend Dan Thiffault and all the other Mass Academy students who have contributed to the growth and development of the companies we work for over the past decade.

In his words,
Good day all, I’d like your help!

I don’t know if you’ve been following the legislative debate on the Mass Academy which is a Public High School for Math and Science operated by WPI. I attended the Academy, so I know first hand the great benefit it provides. At the present time, the senate has eliminated funding for the Academy and if that stands the school would be closed, the students sent to a traditional high school and the state will not save a dime. I’m attaching a copy of Tuesday’s Telegram “As I See it” written by Arthur Chase, who was the senator responsible for the founding of the Academy. The column does a great job of explaining it (I did have an opportunity to help him write it so I'm a bit biased).

Senator Harriette Chandler has filed an amendment restoring the Academy funding. If you are sympathetic to this cause, I’d appreciate you and your colleagues sending her emails thanking her for her leadership and encourage her to continue the good fight. An email to the Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair will be helpful as well. Emails to any other MA senator that you may know asking for support will go a long way. The debate and votes will be taken this coming Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday so time is of the essence in sending these emails.

Email Addresses: mailto:Harriette.Cha...
Ways and Means Chair:mailto:Steven.Panagiotakos@state.ma.us

Other Mass Senators contact info:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenus.htm

Website dedicated to providing information useful for saving the academy:
http://savetheacademy.org/

Thanks,
Dan

THIS IS THE ARTICLE REFERENCED ABOVE:

http://www.telegram.com/article/20090512/NEWS/905120374

Don’t bite the hand that feeds
AS I SEE IT
By Arthur E. Chase

Funding for the Mass Academy of Math and Science (the Academy) is in question. Recently called a model for schools in the United States by a visiting accreditation team from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, this public high school’s funding was initially cut out of the House budget. Thanks to the effective work of Rep. Vincent Pedone, D-Worcester, it has been reinstated. However, the life of the Academy will remain in question until the Senate makes its decision on funding later this month. I believe factual information may help clarify some misunderstandings concerning the Academy.

Seventeen years ago, the Massachusetts Legislature saw the need to improve the teaching of math and science. It approved a new conceptual model for 11th and 12th grade students blessed with high academic aptitude, a thirst for knowledge and the willingness to work hard. The model called for a public/private partnership between a leading college and a new high school to provide a unique way to educate these talented students. Worcester Polytechnic Institute was suggested and accepted the offer of partnership.

WPI agreed to house the Academy on its campus, provide full use of its libraries, science labs, athletic facilities etc. just as though the Academy students were enrolled as college freshmen.

The Academy hired teachers, developed a rigorous 11th-grade curriculum, designed to prepare their 12th-grade students to take a full freshman college load, integrated in classrooms with regular WPI students. At the satisfactory completion of the 12th grade, these students receive their high school diploma as well as a full year of WPI college credit.

From its inception, it was agreed the commonwealth would pay to the Academy the average public-school cost of educating students in the 11th and 12th grades. This remains true to this day.

It is confusing — the Academy dollars come from a different line item in the budget than does funding for our other public schools. If the Academy is closed, the state does not save the cost of the Academy. It still has a legal responsibility to pay to educate these same 100 students, whether they attend the Academy or traditional high schools. It’s not money saved; it is taking the same dollars from one pocket only to put them back into another. The dollars spent are the same.

WPI has expanded its commitment to support this partnership by investing $900,000 several years ago to create new classrooms, offices, and common areas for the Academy.

The Academy is a public high school providing a free and appropriate education. This is not an elitist school. Rather, students are accepted based on their aptitude and willingness to work hard. As a result, the Academy has a blend of students with a wide variety of backgrounds and economic situations.

It is difficult to deny the evidence that the Academy has been a success. In their senior year alone, Academy students have consistently outperformed WPI students as measured by their grade-point averages. Last year, for example, Academy students earned a grade-point average of 3.65 as compared to 2.95 for WPI students. In addition to their academic achievements, Academy students this year have logged over 5,000 hours of community service, which included mentoring, tutoring children in an inner-city elementary school and working with different community boys and girls clubs.

The report of the visiting committee, a culmination of the first two stages of the accreditation process, was completed in March. It’s four-page overview is well worth reading.

Last week, I talked with the chair of the visiting committee, Stephen W. MacDougall, who told me that, “The Mass Academy is a visionary example of learning at the highest levels. I have been an educator for 32 years and active with the commission for the past 15 years, and I can say without reservation that the Mass Academy of Math and Science is one of the most extraordinary schools I have visited.

From the moment one walks through the door, one knows this is a place where both teaching and learning are brought to very high levels.”

No one can dispute the fact that today’s high school students must possess extremely strong skills in math and the sciences. At the Academy, students receive the highest quality education.

In addition, for the cost to the state of two years of traditional high school, Academy students graduate not only with a high school diploma, but also with one year of college credit. It’s a win-win situation for all.

Arthur E. Chase is a former state senator and one of the legislators who conceived of the Mass Academy of Math and Science. The recent NEASC report can be viewed online at http://www.massacademy.org/News/MAMS%20Final%20Report%2- 04.17.09.pdf

Dan Thiffault
General Manager
eInvite LLC