Progress for Cambridge election blog

After a summer/early fall hiatus, I'm back to blogging. Lots to write about -- summer meetings, more Achievement Gap Forums, an exciting new high school renovation etc.

But for today, just in time for the up-coming Nov. 6 School Committee election, I want to put in a plug for a new blog that a group of long-time parent activists created over the summer in support of three new candidates for School Committee.

The address is: http://progressforcambridge.blogspot.com.

One feature of special interest on the blog is a collection of split votes on the School Committee over the past term. Since I sat through the past four terms (eight years) of school committee meetings, I can say with authority that this past term has produced more significant split votes than possibly any other except the first committee I served on in 2000-01.

I'll write more later about what I think this pattern means to school districts and school reform, but suffice it to say that a summary of split votes is an opportunity for the electorate to see the difference in philosophies/approach to serving between members.

Since our local paper doesn't report these votes, we thought it important to put in any blog about an election.

Another important feature is "12 Important Facts to Know About CPS" located at the bottom of the blog. An unfortunate hallmark of this term has been the incredible energy spent in what I call "data wars" with the administration. Lost in this process has been the forest -- how the sum total of reforms, initiatives, and secure finances stack up for students, families and taxpayers. When you read this list, I think you will agree that CPS has a lot going for it and that it is important to elect folks who will contribute in a constructive way in order to continue Progress for Cambridge.

If you feel the same way, I hope you'll consider adding your name to our growing list of supporters. Just click on the link provided in the section entitled Who We Are on the right hand side of the blog.