Ben Forman, Author at CommonWealth Magazine

Ben Forman

Research Director, MassINC

About Ben Forman

Benjamin Forman is MassINC’s research director. He coordinates the development of the organization’s research agenda and oversees production of research reports. Ben has authored a number of MassINC publications and he speaks frequently to organizations and media across Massachusetts.

About Ben Forman

Benjamin Forman is MassINC’s research director. He coordinates the development of the organization’s research agenda and oversees production of research reports. Ben has authored a number of MassINC publications and he speaks frequently to organizations and media across Massachusetts.

Stories by Ben Forman

What to do with the state’s half-empty prison system

It's time to double down on reforms that are yielding results

Low-income commuter rail fares are a no-brainer

It’s not a matter of finance; it’s a question of vision, will

free stock photo via Canva

It’s time to scale up early college in Mass.

Gives more students an early shot at degree

Corrections data raise big questions

Where is the ‘justice reinvestment’ as inmate populations fall?

Nov. 26, 2019

5 ideas for generating better school district improvement plans

State education department should seize the opportunity to drive change

Justice reinvestment gets seed funding in budget

Reentry services expanded, commission to focus on corrections spending

education reform schools

A third way on the school funding/accountability debate

The answer isn’t more state rules but greater local oversight

Finding Better Ways to Allocate Limited Public Safety Resources

Estimating the costs and savings attached to criminal justice reform legislation

Harnessing the ‘Third Way’ to improve communities

Education and community health can benefit from new approach

Massachusetts should clear juvenile records

Research shows 'expungement' leads to lower adult arrest rates, higher grad rates

Providing opportunities for all

Economic development bill hold great promise -- if used the right way

Universal, broader screenings of students needed

Approach would support social-emotional learning efforts

Moving beyond Boston

Other states have many successful regions within their borders. Why doesn’t Massachusetts?

Fact-checking the state’s incarceration rate

Massachusetts ranks low, but only if viewed in narrow context

We need to reverse course on mandatory minimums

Sentences discriminate and don't improve public safety

How about a Gateway Cities Olympics?

Boston focus is far too narrow

Collaborative leadership up against the charter school cap

Can we develop a smarter way to authorize new charters in the future?

Secretary of State John Kerry soldiers on

Patrick’s new spending needs ‘place’ component

Half full or half empty?

The rate continues its decade-long fall

Assets, not need, should define Gateway Cities

Legislature should strategically invest in urban centers that drive regional economies

97.4

Massachusetts’s score on MassINC’s middle-class index shows only a slight drop since the start of the decade, but some of the data are ominous

Student churn hinders progress

In some districts, a fifth of students come and go during school year

Culture of climate protection needed

Behavior will change when social norms change

The middle-class squeeze

Census numbers suggest hollowing out of state’s middle-income households

Public sector pay: reasonable or excessive?

Revenue crossroads for transportation

A response to Secretary Mullan

A new look at the rankings

New state data suggest the toniest towns don’t necessarily have the best schools

Don’t give GE $25m in tax credits

Use state funds to target blighted urban areas

Jobs held hostage by housing

Trends suggest the state’s high housing costs could drag down job growth once again