Wednesday January 16, 2013

BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick on Tuesday unveiled a school investment plan he says will expand access to education for students from birth through high school.

Patrick says the plan, which totals $550 million in its first year and increases to nearly $1 billion annually over the next four years, will help ensure "a high-knowledge, well-skilled workforce."

The proposal comes amid increasing talk on Beacon Hill for higher taxes to pay for a range of transportation, education and infrastructure needs.

His proposal would provide universal access to early education from birth through age 5, fully fund K-12 education and allow for extended school days in high-need schools.

Patrick will include the plan in the state budget proposal he submits to lawmakers next week.

Patrick said part of his goal is to address a persistent achievement gap that is leaving behind students from lower income families, students still learning English, students with disabilities and many minorities. Only 38 percent of black third-graders and 36 percent of Hispanic third-graders are proficient in reading and writing.

That gap, Patrick says, threatens Massachusetts’ ability to compete with other states and in an increasingly global marketplace.

Patrick is proposing a series of changes, including providing what he describes as "universal access to high-quality early education for all infants, toddlers and preschoolers."

The

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governor would also provide extra training for teachers, offer educational programs for parents and dedicate new funding to help school districts offer preschool for 4-year-olds.

Patrick also said more needs to be done to help graduating high school seniors. Most of the 146,500 jobs available in the state now require 2-year degrees or specialized certificates, he said.

Patrick is proposing $274 million to make college more affordable, including extra financial assistance for students showing the greatest need.

Patrick’s proposal comes a day before he’s scheduled to deliver his State of the State address and a day after officials proposed a range of options, including new taxes and fees, to raise about $1 billion annually to maintain and modernize the state’s roads, bridges and public transit systems.