EDUCATION
Today educational opportunity is one of the most critical issues in our community and in those across the state. We must collectively strive toward better educational offerings, focusing on initiatives today that will repay our residents and community in the future.
There are several current initiatives enacted at the state and local levels that have garnered attention across the Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket District. I will discuss these in greater depth as my campaign progresses. However, there are two key initiatives that I intend to strongly pursue in my role as your State Representative.
Higher Education
How many of us would be willing to take college courses if they were affordable and available in our own back yard? I have seen many friends and family members travel extreme distances to attend courses in pursuit of earning their college degree. Some make the commute to UMass-Dartmouth or Cape Cod Community College, while others compete with roommates, children, or spouses for time on their home computer in try to complete online courses.
Access to higher education programs, learning equipment, and facilities is a fundamental problem in our communities. To help alleviate this strain, I have reached out to the Dean of Northeastern’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies and together we have begun to outline a local degree completion program. This initiative has would combine modern educational programs and technology to aid our community members in continuing their education. Residents who could benefit include:
Law Enforcement Personnel
Together, we can help our community’s service personnel improve their skills and job-specific knowledge. Local police officers often look to advance their education in order to receive greater responsibility and authority. The Quinn Bill, also known as the Police Career Incentive Pay Program (PCIPP), was enacted by the Massachusetts legislature in 1970. The program was established to encourage police officers in participating municipalities to earn degrees in law enforcement and criminal justice and to provide educational incentives through salary increases. Partnering with Northeastern University’s Master of Science program in Criminal Justice, approved under the PCIPP, will allow our local police forces to continue their education.
Health Science Personnel
Our small communities are dependent upon the capabilities of our area hospitals and their professionals. Imagine the possibilities for these professionals if they were to continue their educational endeavors in their own neighborhoods. Northeastern University’s School of Professional Continuing studies working in collaboration with the Bouve College of Life Sciences offer a number of world-class healthcare programs including:
- Emergency Nursing
- EMS/Paramedic
- Nurse Refresher – Transition to Practice
- Perioperative Nursing
- Registered Nurse First Assistant
Education Professionals
Our communities owe a great deal to the educators who dedicate their lives to passing on knowledge and values to their students. In an effort to continue their own growth as educational leaders, most teachers pursue advanced degrees. The Institute for Professional Development and Graduate Studies in Education at Northeastern University’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies provides a wide range of programs, workshops, consulting services, graduate level courses and degrees to educators. By making Northeastern’s broad offerings available to our teachers and school administrators, we can improve the quality of education provided in our community.
Health & Wellness Education
American children are facing an unusual epidemic – the risk of becoming overweight or obese. The annual National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about one-third of U.S. children are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. In total, about 25 million U.S. children and adolescents are overweight or nearly overweight.
Gym classes are fading from our school systems. Less than one in ten schools nationwide meet federal exercise requirements. But what are we willing to do about this challenge? The status-quo is unacceptable. In order to stem the tide and prevent this unhealthy trend that could lead to complicated health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, we must act now.
We must take a closer look at causal factors that have driven this problem to epidemic proportions and over the months ahead, I will fight for a greater focus on physical education and nutrition in our school systems. The FY 2008 Massachusetts budget outlines a $213.7 million increase over the level of funding in FY 2007 in K-12 education. Imagine what strides could be made if only a small portion of this budget was put toward Health and Wellness Education.
A few of the initiatives I will discuss with area superintendents, principals, administrators, and physical education teachers include:
Participation in the National President's Challenge
The National President's Challenge is a new fitness program that commenced in March of 2008. Individuals aged 6 and older are encouraged to register on the President’s Challenge website, be active at least five days a week, and log that activity on their personal activity tracker. Governors, corporate and organizational leaders, principals, teachers, and parents can form groups and challenge their constituents, employees, faculty, students, or families to lead more active lives.
Support local Farm to School programs
Local organizations like Martha’s Vineyard’s Island Grown Initiative have launched local “Farm to School” programs to help transform school lunches in a healthy way. The initiative not only supports local farmers, it helps children eat healthy meals (www.islandgrown.org).
Adopt the principles of the FitSchools Program
- Help schools build a safe, inclusive, and accepting environment for physical activity.
- Make fitness a fun and engaging experience that kids will look forward to.
- Introduce kids to a variety of activities, so every child has the opportunity to enjoy exercise.
- Give kids the knowledge and tools necessary to be healthy throughout the rest of their lives.
- Inspire schools and communities to take control of their health, working together to find solutions that will help at-risk children.
