Jan 18, 2007 11:33 pm US/Eastern
Deval Patrick Responds To Viewer Questions, Pt. 2
BOSTON (CBS4) ―
Questions for Governor Deval Patrick came from participants in our Web cast town meeting earlier this week and directly from viewers to our Web site.
Wednesday night's first question came from a Framingham school principal concerned about MCAS failure rates among students for whom English is a second language.
Asked Robin Welch: "I would like to see at least tests that are written in a child's native language so that they can be truly assessed in what their skill level is."
Patrick answered: "Robin, I hadn't thought about it before the question. I do very much believe that kids have got to learn to be proficient in English. I think that's a part....I'm not saying English immersion is the only way to do that, but I do think kids have got to learn to be proficient in English."
Matt asks: "What are you planning to do about traffic on the state's major roads?
Patrick said: "Improving the public transportation system, light rail and subway and bus travel in addition to things like HOV lanes and so on. We are looking at a very aggressive investment in public transportation and trying to find the resources to be able to sustain that."
Said Sharon Shallo of Arlington: "Please restore the funding to the Mass. Cultural Council. It sustained an unreasonable cut of 68 percent."
Patrick responded: "Well, I don't know that we can go there in one step Sharon, but I do believe the state has an appropriate role in supporting the cultural community and supporting the arts
Al asks: "You're barely in office. Why are you reneging on your campaign promises already?"
Patrick answered: "If you've got a particular beef, be more specific, but stay tuned, Al, we mean to keep the promises I made."
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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