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Biden administration moves to protect Alaska wilderness; opening statements and first witness in NY trial; SCOTUS hears Starbucks case, with implications for unions on the line; rural North Carolina town gets pathway to home ownership.

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The Supreme Court weighs cities ability to manage a growing homelessness crisis, anti-Israeli protests spread to college campuses nationwide, and more states consider legislation to ban firearms at voting sites and ballot drop boxes.

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Wyoming needs more educators who can teach kids trade skills, a proposal to open 40-thousand acres of an Ohio forest to fracking has environmental advocates alarmed and rural communities lure bicyclists with state-of-the-art bike trail systems.

Giving Massachusetts Poor a Richer Education

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Friday, December 1, 2006   

Boston, MA - Giving poor students more time to learn may be what it takes to help close the achievement gap. A new report by the state's two teachers unions suggests several ways to make it happen, including full-day kindergarten, before and after-school programs and helping parents make homework-friendly homes. However, to accomplish those goals, teachers say more funding is needed.

Tom Gosnell, president of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts says the programs would help poor students improve test scores and graduate at a higher rate.

"Their disadvantages are greater. This is not meant to be a pejorative comment, but there is little doubt that kids from high poverty areas require a greater investment of resources."

Gosnell adds the disadvantages of poverty carry over into the classroom. The report lists specific recommendations for the State Legislature, school boards, superintendents, principals, and teachers -- all to help close the achievement gap.

Governor-elect Deval Patrick made closing that gap a foundation of his campaign. Anne Wass, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, says they're setting up a meeting with Patrick to discuss the report.

"We're hoping with this new administration, there will be more of an appetite to do some of these things to help our students."



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