Public Education
Free and high-quality public education is a fundamental and essential right that upholds our democracy and the “American dream” - any child can better their station through dedicated study and with generous public investment. In reality, however, our education experience varies widely depending on our zip code, race, and class due to the overall systematic defunding of our education system. Together, we have the power to build thriving public schools from universal free pre-K and childcare, K-12 public schools, and our world class public higher education system.
Together, we will
Fully fund k-12 public schools, invest in school buildings and before- and after-school programs
All students deserve a high quality education with small class sizes and fully funded programs for special education and English language learners. The destructive combination of segregated housing and a school system largely funded by property taxes, creates deep inequities in which the students who need the most, get the least support. This is why I’ve fought for almost a decade for billions in equitable statewide funding for our public schools and to increase educator pay so that teaching is a sustainable profession. We also must get rid of MCAS and standardized tests as a high school graduation requirement that do nothing more than to measure a student’s zip code. Finally, we must include and promote a racially inclusive curriculum and ethnic studies.
Guarantee universal access to high-quality pre-k education and childcare
We must make high-quality early education and child care affordable and accessible to all Massachusetts families. Tens of thousands of parents in Massachusetts, majority of whom are women, are forced out of the workforce due to the exorbitant cost of child care and pre-K. Meanwhile educators are leaving the profession due to unsustainably low pay and can’t afford to live doing the work they love. The solution is bold investment in our future generation and the workforce that educates and cares for them.
Ensure all students of public universities graduate debt-free
Lack of financial resources should never be a barrier to any students’ ambitions and dreams. Yet students who graduate from our public higher education institutions are saddled with debt and our public higher education system is in crisis. When accounting for inflation and increased student enrollment, funding for public higher education in Massachusetts has been cut by over 30 percent since 2001. We must make deep investments in our public higher education so that all students can graduate from our world class public higher education system debt-free.
What we’ve delivered so far
Created the new MassReconnect Program that offers students aged 25 and older the opportunity to attend one of our world-class community college campuses, entirely cost free
Invested $1.55B in early education and childcare. This includes $475 million into the Early Education and Care (EEC) grant program, plus $23 million in EEC educators through scholarships and loan forgiveness and $8 million for personal childcare
Fully funded universal school meals, $170M statewide and approximately $900,000 to feed Somerville students
Advocated for and passed the Student Opportunity Act, bringing over $54M to support Somerville Public Schools and $3M to support students in special education
Increased funding to the entire public education system by over $600 million, by increasing taxes on the very wealthy