Bay State Governor Presses Education Plan

Massachusetts initiative seeks ‘seamless’ system, pre-K through college

With his own new education chief in place, Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts is moving forward with an ambitious education agenda for the state’s students that would include free access to community college for all state residents, a statewide teacher contract, and an aggressive dropout-prevention program.

The first-term Democrat, a rising political star in the national party, used his turn in the spotlight at last week’s Democratic National Convention in part to emphasize education and its importance for the nation’s economic future.

Those same themes are reflected in the governor’s Commonwealth Readiness Project , a 55-point plan that stretches into 2020 and is intended to address students’ educational needs from...