Baker cited Springfield's use of "empowerment zones" as a policy that can be expanded. Empowerment zones, partnerships between schools, state officials and unions, let schools make their own decisions on things like hiring, scheduling, budgeting and curriculum, rather than having those decisions made at a district level.
"These zones create more flexibility in schools. And allow educators to make the changes necessary to provide a better learning environment for our kids," Baker said in his address. "In Springfield, this model is already making a positive difference for teachers and students." Baker said he will work with State Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, and State Rep. Alice Peisch, D-Wellesley, who have introduced bills to create more empowerment zones around the state.
Baker also said the experiences of school districts like Holyoke show that state takeovers of schools can make a difference.
Baker pointed to Springfield's use of an "empowerment zone" as one example of policies that can be used to improve education now that voters rejected a ballot question to increase the number of charter schools in Massachusetts.
Baker delivered his second annual State of the Commonwealth speech before a packed House chamber Tuesday evening. Baker spoke for approximately 40 minutes off a teleprompter before an audience that included the Massachusetts House and Senate, cabinet secretaries, the attorney general and other constitutional officers, the Supreme Judicial Court justices, UMass President Marty Meehan, former Gov. William Weld, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and other dignitaries.
Baker took a victory lap on policy successes ranging from the implementation of all-electronic tolling on the Massachusetts Turnpike to reducing the population of homeless families placed in hotels. He laid out new policy initiatives related to education, tax credits for veterans and changes at Bridgewater State Hospital.
Baker also drew an implicit contrast with the divisiveness of U.S. President Donald Trump's new administration in Washington, instead stressing the importance of collegiality and bipartisanship.
