BOSTON – Senator John Kerry today introduced the Empowering Teaching and Learning through Education Portals Act. The Act would provide funding for an education “portal” run by the Massachusetts Department of Education, as well as provide for similar portals in other states.

Education portals are a one-stop resource for educators, parents, and students to support teaching, learning, and leading. A portal allows educators to quickly search for lesson plans or other resources by content standard, grade level, specific student and classroom needs, and/or topic. A portal also provides a secure, on-line community for educators to collaborate and discuss teaching and learning and experiences, as well as serves as a vital communication tool between the school and parents.

“Few things are as important to the future of our country as the quality of our schools. The Empowering Teaching and Learning Through Education Act will help us to bridge the urban-rural educational divide that unfortunately still exists throughout our country today. This act will ensure that all districts in all corners of all the states have access to high quality resources that allow both students and teachers to grow,” said Senator Kerry.

The Act supports high quality teaching, professional development and retention of teachers and promotes an on-line support network and learning community for teachers and administrators. It also provides coaching and guidance to teachers to address the challenges of teaching a diverse student body.

Kerry’s legislation will help Massachusetts come up with the funding needed to improve its educational systems. The Act establishes annual competitive grants that will provide funding for states that wish to implement and maintain education portals. The legislation also provides new tax incentives to private organizations that support state education portal efforts.

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