Jen Benson Releases Education Policy Paper
Jen Benson speaking with voters

September 9, 2008 — Jen Benson, candidate for State Representative in the 37th Middlesex District, has released the second of four policy papers that she is presenting to outline her positions on the major issues facing the district and the Commonwealth. The policy paper is entitled Stronger Education for our Children and contains proposals on special education, education funding reform, transportation aid and increased community college access.

Benson is currently the Chair of the Lunenburg School Committee and is the only Democrat running for 37th Middlesex seat.

"Every child deserves a quality education," said Benson. "I have spent six years fighting to improve education in our local school district and, if elected, I will do everything in my power get our schools the resources they need to educate the workers and leaders of tomorrow."

The first proposal aims to reform special education funding by tying the funds for a particular student in need of services directly to that student, rather than reimbursing the expenses to the school district after the fact. It also fully funds the student's educational needs, rather than the partial reimbursement that currently exists. The plan would pay for the small increase in cost that would result by establishing reasonable guidelines for payments to special educational providers, and by encouraging delivery of services through the public school districts wherever possible.

The funding reform proposal would update the formula used to distribute state by tying the aid amounts directly to the standards and mandates placed on our schools. The transportation aid proposal aims to restore transportation aid to towns with non-regional schools districts.

The community college proposal will provide access to Massachusetts community colleges for students that pass the MCAS and graduate from a Massachusetts high school.

"Our new global economy is making increasing demands on our workers, requiring at least some level of college education for the vast majority of jobs," said Benson. "Providing access to post-secondary education to Massachusetts high school graduates will set our state apart and provide a steady stream of educated workers for companies in our Commonwealth."

More information on Benson's campaign and downloads of her policy papers can be found at www.jenbenson.org.