Pioneer Accomplishments: 1994-1999
20 Years of Common Sense and Uncommon Results
Pioneer Institute uses academic-quality research and professional marketing strategies to improve the quality of debate and change minds on critical public policy issues. We garner over 2,400 media appearances (TV, radio, print) annually, including stories in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Economist, the BBC, MSNBC, as well as in local and regional media outlets.
1994-1999
Pioneer’s ongoing research explores the performance of public charter public schools and the resulting advocacy efforts lead to a significant increase in the number of charter schools allowed under state law.
Pioneer collaborates closely on the development of the highest quality K-12 academic standards in the country, which underscore college readiness in math, English, science, and US History.
Pioneer provides research support for development of the state’s unique MTEL teacher certification test, which is focuses on mastery of academic content rather than pedagogy.
Through repeated reports and media efforts, Pioneer injects a skeptical point of view into the debate over the proposed South Boston Convention Center. The Institute’s questioning improves the finance plan developed to fund the project’s construction, but subsequent years vindicate Pioneer’s skepticism about the facility’s economic impact.
Pioneer establishes the Building Excellent Schools program, which provides a nine-month training for new charter school entrepreneurs on everything from mission, curricular and assessment choices, teacher recruitment and retention, facility upgrade and management, establishment of school culture, and board leadership.
Pioneer’s study Bilingual Education in Massachusetts: The Emperor Has No Clothes recommends a “structured immersion” approach to teaching students with limited English proficiency. Public referendum grants approval to this method in 2002.
Pioneer’s study Special Education: Good Intentions Gone Awry recommends the “free and appropriate education” standard. The proposed reform is incorporated into state law in 2000.
