Massachusetts 'Readiness'

Governor Deval Patrick is out today with the first details of a decade long plan his aides call education reform, phase two.

Governor Patrick's "Readiness Project", launched one year ago, will make closing the achievement gap between white and black or latino students a top priority.

One strategy will be to focus more on individual student progress by giving teachers more time and training to assess and adjust to individual needs.

The report will also call for a longer school day, mandatory Pre-K and Kindergarten statewide, changes in public education financing and a new school option called "Readiness Schools."

Legislation that will tie the governor's ambitious goals to his budget is due in January. Governor Patrick says Massachusetts has one of the best education systems in the country, but that the state must boost achievement if students hope to compete in a global marketplace.