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AFT Massachusetts responds to 2026 SOTC

“We appreciate Governor Healey’s continued commitment to supporting the students, schools, and educators of the Commonwealth - especially as communities across the state attempt to navigate these times of great uncertainty.

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has prioritized investing in the futures of the next generation from day one - from creating new pathways to apprenticeships to expanding access to early college in over 50 districts across the Commonwealth.

“They’ve stepped up to ease some of the devastating cuts to federal support our schools are grappling with, including making sure that our neediest students have access to healthy meals and providing the funding to ensure the doors at our local Head Start centers can remain open. Their commitment to education extends to our world-class universities and colleges through their push to support not only increasing access to a degree, but through strong investment in the vital research and development programs and infrastructure at our institutions of higher education."

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Winter Town Hall Jan. 28

New year, new season—and that means it’s time for the AFT Massachusetts statewide Winter Town Hall! 🎊

From our classrooms to the State House to the halls of Congress, there is A LOT going on in 2026, and we’re only two weeks into the year. So join fellow AFT MA members from locals across the state as we dive deep on the school funding crisis, give updates on healthcare changes, discuss updates on statewide graduation requirements and AFT MA’s strategic plan, and provide space for locals to connect directly with each other. Plus, we’ll be joined by Senator Ed Markey for key federal updates impacting our union and communities!

Register today to join us on Wednesday, January 28th at 7pm!

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Randi Book Talk Jan. 30

Attacks on schools and teachers have long been a hallmark of fascist regimes: Throughout history, as many dictators rose to power they began banning books, controlling curriculum, and censoring history.

AFT President Randi Weingarten’s new book Why Fascists Fear Teachers tells the story of what teachers do and why those who are afraid of freedom and opportunity try to stop them. It explains why all Americans should care about attacks on schools and teachers—whether they have school-aged children or not. In the past as today, the fate of the United States is inexorably intertwined with the fate of public education.

Please join us for an important and timely conversation with Randi Weingarten. Learn what’s at stake, how these attacks hurt our kids and our country, and how we can fight back.

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AFT Massachusetts on Statewide Graduation Council Preliminary Report

“There are components of this report that we can all agree on, including areas that we have been and will continue to advocate for, including: accessibility to key academic courses, college and career planning, and attention to different types of learners.

“This preliminary report is just that—a starting point for discussion. We aren’t at the stage of endorsement or opposition.

“Whether or not the educators we represent can fully endorse this plan will depend on the final product.

“There are a number of outstanding questions that must be addressed, including those around the implementation process, the resources schools will need to support this new framework, and a clear understanding of exactly what will be required of our students and how their work will be measured."

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Take action: provide a living wage to all educators and PSRPs!

AFT Massachusetts Logo Facebook Square

Take action: provide a living wage to all educators and PSRPs! Lets celebrate our paraprofessionals and school related personnel by fighting for an Act relative to educator pay—essential legislation that would establish salary minimums of $70k for teachers and $55k for paraprofessionals and adjust for inflation. You know as well as we do: it’s impossible to overstate how life changing this legislation would be for thousands of our members. Please take a moment to use our tool to email your legislator asking them to help advance An Act relative to educator pay! Together we can make sure that none of our dedicated PSRPs aren’t forced to work second or third jobs just to make ends meet.