Summer learning is key to reversing academic losses

Programs should be available to all, not just the wealthy

By Chris Smith and Paul Reville Elementary and Secondary Education 0 Comments Feb 2, 2023

THE ROAD to pandemic recovery must run through summer, when programs draw on young people’s interests to help them learn. The steep decline in student test scores is concerning but just the tip of the iceberg in measuring pandemic losses. Researchers estimate that the loss of earnings for Massachusetts students alone will be $21 billion.(...)

Plugging In/ Energy

Mass.-financed power line from Quebec clears another NextEra hurdle

FERC orders circuit breaker upgrade at Seabrook nuke

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Feb 2, 2023

THE COMPANY seeking to build a Massachusetts-financed transmission line carrying hydro-electricity from Quebec to Maine cleared another hurdle on its comeback trail when federal regulators dismissed objections raised by the nuclear power plant Seabrook Station. In a 52-page ruling, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruled on Wednesday that Seabrook must upgrade a circuit breaker at(...)

Tracking Transportation/ Transportation

Healey appointing non-MBTA team to review CRRC situation

Says she learned of problems at Springfield plant in last few weeks

By Bruce Mohl Maura Healey, MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Feb 2, 2023

GOV. MAURA HEALEY said on Thursday that she is putting together a team of non-MBTA technical and legal experts to review the troubling situation at the Chinese-owned Springfield assembly plant for new Red and Orange Line trains. Healey said she learned about the problems in Springfield a couple weeks ago, apparently at roughly the same(...)

Education

Advocates file federal civil rights complaint over vocational school admission policies

Changes state made in 2021 have failed to end discriminatory practices, coalition says

By Michael Jonas 0 Comments Feb 2, 2023

MORE THAN FIVE YEARS after sounding the alarm over admission policies at the state’s vocational high schools that they say are locking out students who would benefit most from hands-on education, advocates are taking their case to the US Department of Education, filing a federal civil rights complaint aimed at forcing the state to revamp(...)

The Download

Gonneville running the MBTA differently

By CommonWealth Staff MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Feb 2, 2023

Jeffrey Gonneville, who took over as acting general manager of the MBTA in early January, is running the transit authority differently. The first hint came on January 19, when he showed up at a meeting of a subcommittee of the MBTA board to listen in on a presentation about the latest glitch with the new(...)

State government

Under new rules, House returns to in-person sessions

Hybrid hearings remain; bid to disclose all committee votes rejected again

By Colin A. Young and Sam Doran Massachusetts Legislature 0 Comments Feb 2, 2023

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE HOUSE on Wednesday unanimously adopted its rules for the two-year term that began four weeks ago, agreeing to eliminate a pandemic-era policy that allowed representatives to participate in sessions and vote remotely. The rules package also outlines a new hybrid committee hearing structure that will allow for both in-person and(...)

Tracking Transportation/ Transportation

Gonneville running the MBTA differently

New emphasis on trust, transparency, and credibility

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Feb 1, 2023

JEFFREY GONNEVILLE, who took over as acting general manager of the MBTA in early January, is running the transit authority differently. The first hint came on January 19, when he showed up at a meeting of a subcommittee of the MBTA board to listen in on a presentation about the latest glitch with the new(...)

Health Care/ Opinion

Get rid of the copay accumulator

It's painful to watch the position patients are put in

By Heidi Koppelkam Health Care 0 Comments Feb 1, 2023

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS wake up every day with their patients’ wellbeing on their mind. Having worked in nursing for over 30 years, I know first-hand the personal pride we take in our work. Our primary concern is how to best treat patients, but unfortunately cost always lingered in the back of my mind – especially(...)

The Download

Will Reidy be different as Healey’s public safety chief?

By CommonWealth Staff 0 Comments Feb 1, 2023

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM advocates may have been looking to the arrival of a new Democratic governor on Beacon Hill to turn the page on differences they had with the Baker administration, but they will have to do it with the same cabinet secretary overseeing public safety issues. During the transition, Gov. Maura Healey said she(...)

Criminal Justice/ State government