Cambridge CARE (Coalition for Authentic Reform in Education)

May 15, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE  RELEASE

For More Information:
Larry Ward 617 548 2482
Jonathan King 617 441 0863

Cambridge Rally Thursday May 16:  “Education not MCAS”

            Carrying banners and signs, Cambridge students, parents, teachers and elected officials will converge on the steps of Cambridge City Hall Thursday afternoon May 16 at  3:30 PM for a rally to support public education.  Student delegations will be marching to the rally from their schools.

            The group will be calling for excellence and equity in public education through:

            - Halting state cuts in education spending

            - Removing the MCAS test as a graduation requirement

            - Preserving bilingual education

            - Supporting the Cambridge School Committee resolution to award diplomas to deserving seniors regardless of MCAS scores.

Speakers include Cambridge City Councilor Ken Reeves, Cambridge School Committee member Richard Harding, Cambridge teacher Julie Craven, Marla Erlien of  the “Leave No Child Behind” Coalition, Monty Neill of Fairtest, State Rep candidate Paul Lachelier , Larry  Ward of MassCARE and students and parents from public schools in Cambridge.

             The rally is sponsored by Cambridge MassParents for Education Not MCAS, the Cambridge chapter of MassCARE  (Coalition for Authentic Reform in Education).