College Completion Agenda: 2011 Progress Report Launch

The College Board Advocacy & Policy Center launched the College Completion Agenda: 2011 Progress Report in Boston, Massachusetts to a standing room audience of over 100 people.  In collaboration with the National Conference of State Legislatures, the event brought together national and state education leaders, policymakers and advocates to discuss national and local efforts that advance policies that lead to better preparation, access and college attainment for all students. The program also included a legislative roundtable discussion moderated by Julie Davis Bell, Education Group Director of the National Conference of State Legislatures, that focused on the key legislation issues and priorities for education.

Attendees engaged with state legislatures and educators on the successes of Massachusetts’ leadership in promoting policies that have increased postsecondary attainment.  Participants also received a firsthand look at the P–20 data and indicators in the College Board’s latest progress report for the nation and each state and reviewed Massachusetts’ progress toward each of the indicators.

This program celebrated Massachusetts’ leadership in promoting policies to close educational achievement gaps and increase postsecondary attainment, as well as illustrate, through its accomplishments, how progress can be made along several key indicators in the College Completion Agenda: 2011 Progress Report.

Download the new 2011 Progress Report.

Speakers included:

• Hon. Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray
• Sen. Michael O. Moore, Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Higher Education
• Sen. Richard T. Moore, Massachusetts and president of the National Conference of State Legislatures
• Rep. Tom Sannicandro, House Chair, Joint Committee on Higher Education
• Rep. Alice Peisch, House Chair, Joint Committee on Education
• Rep. Carl M. Sciortino, Jr., House Committee on Ways and Means
• Richard M. Freeland, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
• Mitchell D. Chester, Commissioner,  Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Sherri Killins, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
• Richard Doherty, President, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts

Quotes:

“As the national leader in college completion, Massachusetts is a model for how the US can successfully improve college readiness and participation among all students. I want to commend Governor Patrick, his fellow state leaders and all of the advocates who are committed to education and raising the level of student achievement in the Bay State. Your work is laying a critical foundation for future prosperity, and I hope to see the rest of the country follow in your footsteps.” – Gaston Caperton

“Our Commonwealth’s and our nation’s collective future prosperity are linked to how well we prepare our children to become productive citizens. Enriching learning environments in high quality early education and care programs support brain development that provides a solid foundation for long-term achievement and success.” –Sherri Killins

“As the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education I am proud of our accomplishments here in Massachusetts. Our higher education institutes are our most valuable resources and serve as a driving force in our economy. However, we must continue to actively pursue change where it is necessary to ensure that we meet our educational goals.” –Sen. Michael Moore

“State legislators throughout the nation recognize the key link between education and economic success in this age of technology and innovation. The National Conference of State Legislatures is proud to cooperate with the College Board and other education advocates to foster the development of state policies to expand access to educational opportunities for our constituents and to work with our private sector colleagues to ensure that education prepares our citizens for real world jobs as well. As a senator in Massachusetts, and a former college administrator, I’m very proud of our state’s success, but we need to continue to work to help those who want to go to college to attend and gain their degree without amassing significant personal debt.” –Sen. Richard T. Moore