Governor Deval Patrick testified this morning at the State House about his plan to create an Executive Office of Education. This would consolidate authority and responsibility for the commonwealth's education system from pre-kindergarten to higher education to one cabinet-level position in the State House.

Patrick referenced his recent trip to China, saying that Massachusetts is known throughout the world for its educational institutions. Education is "our calling card." In addition, as home to America's first public school, first college, and first college for women, he says we're ideally suited to be on the forefront of progressive education reform, but current bureaucratic structures don't allow for it.

Bostonist had to leave the event early (but after the Governor had bid farewell) so it's possible that we missed some fiery criticism of his plan. But while we were there the Governor was showered with affection and gratitude by the legislators, who kept making pointed references about how life is so much better now that a certain presidential candidate is out of the Bay State for good.

Still, many of the legislators had their pet educational causes they wanted to bring before his excellency: online independent learning, full-day kindergarten, stemming the tide of drop-outs, internationalizing our curriculums, more resources for community colleges. Senator Diane Wilkerson talked about how many Massachusetts high school graduates get to college but don't have the skills to take university courses, leaving them paying tuition and accruing debt while doing remedial catch-up work.

We apologize for interrupting the regularly scheduled cynicism, but it was actually very reassuring to see how attuned our officials seemed to be with the problems students face. Now if only they'd stop dissing Allston.