MCLA Receives State Grant to Support Student Success, Degree Completion

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) received $684,096 in State University SUCCESS 2.0 funding to support student retention and degree completion efforts, according to an announcement from Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.
 
The grant will enable MCLA to implement comprehensive support services focused on helping vulnerable student populations, particularly Pell Grant-eligible students, successfully complete their degrees.
 
"This funding represents a significant investment in our students' futures," said MCLA President James F. Birge. "The SU SUCCESS 2.0 program will allow us to provide the wraparound supports and proactive services that research shows make a real difference in helping students persist and graduate."
 
The State University SUCCESS 2.0 program is modeled on research-based practices including the SUNY ACE/CUNY ASAP initiatives that have demonstrated significant gains in retention and degree completion nationwide.
 
These evidence-based strategies are designed to help students overcome barriers to degree completion and achieve increased economic mobility for themselves and their families.
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Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fulling funding rural school aid. 
 
The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.
 
"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.
 
A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 
 
Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 
 
Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 
 
They will submit those with a school picture to the governor. 
 
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