Friends,
In Massachusetts, we know the power of a high-quality education. We boast the nation’s top K-12 test scores along with the world’s top universities. Our education system is also the engine that powers our state’s continued economic growth.
But beneath the surface, it’s clear that our kids’ opportunities still depend on the color of their skin, where they live, and what’s in their parents’ wallet. Only some students, from some communities, are really given the chance to succeed in our current system.
Our state can, and should, lead the way in pursuing bold reforms to education that meet both the moral and economic imperatives of the 21st century.
First, we’ll establish a universal system of high-quality, accessible, and affordable early education and child care for all young children and their families.
We can do this by increasing state subsidies for child care starting at birth, passing Universal Preschool, and raising the quality of early education services by raising early educator salaries.
Next, we need to fully implement the Student Opportunity Act — and veto any annual budget that doesn’t follow through on its promises. This law provides a framework for equitably phasing in $1.5 billion in new state K-12 funding annually. But the current Republican administration continues to delay implementation, especially on the resources targeted to low-income students.
We’ll take direct action to close the opportunity and achievement gaps in our state, dramatically increase the availability of behavioral health services, increase racial and ethnic diversity in our teaching and school administrator workforce, and dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline.
And to maintain our advantage as a highly educated state, to support young people, working families, and our economy, we’ll make bold investments in our public higher education system.
We’ll make sure every Massachusetts student can attend any public community college, state college or university debt-free — by fully covering tuition for all students, along with additional costs like books and fees for low-income students.
My Republican grandfather used to say, “education doesn’t cost, it pays” — and we’ve all seen that’s true for our kids, our families, and our economy in Massachusetts.
Poor kids and kids of color are currently blocked from our expensive early education and higher education systems, even as they continue to face yawning disparities in our K-12 schools.
We have the resources to give every child a quality education, regardless of income, race, or zip code. We just need political leaders who have the courage to do it.
Add your name today to say that you support our plan.
Saludos,
Sonia