On Thursday, January 16, 2025, Governor Maura Healey delivered her second State of the Commonwealth address, highlighting the work her Administration has done to-date and their priorities going forward.
AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang, who attended the address as an invited guest, released the following statement in response to the Governor’s renewed commitment to working families of the state:
“The Commonwealth’s ability to lead and thrive relies on a fully-funded, equitable, and high-quality public education system - from early childhood to post-secondary.
“We share Governor Healey’s vision of a Commonwealth where we continue to lead in quality education and healthcare while making homes more affordable and transportation more reliable and accessible.
“If we are serious about having an economy that works for everyone and eradicating the systemic injustices of our society – we must start with our public schools. Educators and our classrooms open doors for economic opportunity and are critical spaces to foster inclusivity and tolerance. We applaud the Governor for her commitment to supporting behavioral and mental health as we strive to ensure all of our schools are safe and welcoming.
“The accomplishments of the last few years – from increasing educator diversity efforts and pipelines into teaching to making community college free for all residents of Massachusetts to providing all children in the state’s public schools with free lunch - have been critical steps forward to ensuring equal opportunities for all students and their families.
“As we anticipate the return of a Presidential administration focused on helping the rich get richer, we remain committed to fighting for justice, equity, and opportunities for all Massachusetts students and working families. We look forward to a continued partnership with Governor Healey and her Administration in this work.”
During her remarks, Governor Healey announced that she was establishing a "Statewide Graduation Requirement Council" – which will include teachers, colleges, employers, and students – to develop recommendations for a statewide graduation standard after Massachusetts residents overwhelmingly voted to eliminate the MCAS as a graduation requirement in November. Below is President Tang’s response to the announcement:
“As educators, we have been fighting for a more equitable education and assessment system – one that takes into account the specific needs of our students and communities and does not rely on just one high stakes test. We believe in a system that allows educators to focus on giving students the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in school and beyond, and that creates authentic learning environments where setting and meeting high standards are embedded in every aspect of a school’s curriculum. One that actually identifies school strengths and weaknesses and provides concrete guidance on how to improve educational processes.
“We’ve spent decades relying on a failed system disproportionately based on a one-size-fits-all standardized test. It widened the opportunity gaps we work every day to eliminate as educators.
“By eliminating the MCAS as a graduation requirement, the voters of Massachusetts pushed the state to take a critical step forward toward educational equity. As we look to the next steps in this process, we need to not only ask the right questions but also have the courage to veer from the status quo.
“We look forward to working with the Healey Driscoll Administration as they work to identify a new, truly equitable assessment system that supports all students and schools of Massachusetts.”