City of New Bedford

Scott W. Lang, Mayor

City of New Bedford

Office of the Mayor

Contact: Elizabeth Treadup

(508) 979-1410

Elizabeth.Treadup@ci.new-bedford.ma.us

Date: June 26, 2006

For Immediate Release

P R E S S R E L E A S E

Local Foundations and Business Leaders Contribute

Funds to Support MCAS Summer Program

New Bedford, Massachusetts- A consortium of donors led by the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts has pledged $14,000 to underwrite a summer Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) remedial program to provide tutorial service to members of the New Bedford High School’s Class of 2006 who did not pass one or more components of the MCAS test and were therefore denied their high school diploma.

Donors to the Fund in addition to the Community Foundation were: New Bedford CEO Council, Greater New Bedford Industrial Foundation, Acushnet Foundation Fund, the Women's Fund of Southeastern Massachusetts and Mayor Scott W. Lang.

Donors

  • Community Foundation, $3,500
  • New Bedford CEO Council, $4,000
  • Acushnet Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation, $2,500
  • Greater New Bedford Industrial Foundation, $2,500
  • Women's Fund of the Community Foundation, $1,000
  • Mayor Scott Lang, $500

"I am deeply appreciative of the generosity of the local foundations and business leaders who have come forward in support of this important initiative. This program will provide the resources necessary to ensure that each of our students who has committed 13 years of their life to the public school system will have the opportunity to pass the MCAS and receive a New Bedford High School diploma," said Mayor Lang.

"Since our inception the Community Foundation has been committed to providing educational opportunity and raising the educational aspirations of our areas youth. In making this commitment we remain hopeful that New Bedford's leadership on this issue will compel the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to restore funding that it has cut from MCAS remediation and drop-out prevention," said Craig Dutra, President of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts.

The five week remedial course created as a result of a joint effort by the Superintendent’s office, the New Bedford School Committee and partners in the private sector will begin on June 26, 2006 and meet daily until the summer MCAS tests are given on August 1st and 2nd. The program will provide 15 hours per week of instruction and tutoring. Over 21 students are expected to enroll.  

"I think it is extremely generous of the business community to step up to the plate and help these kids secure a bright future," said Superintendent of New Bedford Public Schools, Michael E. Longo.

 

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