Press

In response to the announcement at today’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting that UP Academy Holland would begin transitioning back to local control after spending more than 10 years in state receivership, AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang issued the following statement: 

“Exiting receivership, planning for a sustainable transition, and improving working conditions for staff are steps in the right direction to ensure these students have the school and educators they deserve. Allowing more local input and collaboration is a step in the right direction to ensure the voices of parents and the community are heard as well. 

“Nearly two years ago, educators at UP Academy Holland requested the ability to collaborate with the state as it looked to begin the transition process to exit receivership. This resulted in an active transition process that included educator, parent, and administration voices. 

“We congratulate the entire school community, as well as the Dearborn Academy, on its achievements and progress to date, and believe this is a model for how all of our districts and schools in receivership can return to local control. The educators and staff at both schools are dedicated to the success of their students, and we look forward to seeing their continued achievements.”

Statement from AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang following the school shooting at Brown University: 

"America has seen over 430 school shootings since the Columbine attack shook our nation over 25 years ago. Generations of children have grown up with the underlying threat that a classroom is not always a safe space to learn and grow," said AFT MA President Jessica Tang.

"A senseless death to gun violence should never be the price one pays for sending their child to school. Teachers and school staff should be able to do their jobs without hearing active shooter alerts. Our students should be able to learn without fear.

The horrific attack at Brown University over the weekend should evoke more than thoughts and prayers. We are overdue for a serious discussion in America about strengthening gun control measures across the nation – decades overdue, in fact. We must protect the strong, common-sense gun laws we have in Massachusetts, while continuing to fight for a more complete, nationwide plan to address gun violence in our schools and in our communities.

AFT Massachusetts is proud to be part of the Vote Yes for a Safe Massachusetts campaign fighting to protect MA’s gun safety laws from the gun lobby. Learn more about Vote Yes for Safe Massachusetts at www.yesforasafema.com.

“When working families need an advocate, Senator Markey is there. When paras need respect and a living wage, Senator Markey is there. When parents are worried about the services their children rely on in the classroom, Senator Markey is there. Ed Markey shows up for working families, public education, and our communities—he doesn’t even need to be asked. He’s already there, ready to take on the tough fights, ready to meet the moment. Ed Markey always has our backs, and we will continue to have his,” said AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang.

“I am honored to earn the endorsement of AFT Massachusetts—the backbone, the believers, the builders of our Commonwealth’s future. AFT MA educators support our students, stand with our families, and fortify the communities that sustain our democracy. I carry your voices into every fight in the United States Senate as we push back against the dangerous rise of MAGA extremism aimed at gutting public education. AFT MA educators are the backbone of our public schools, and I’ve fought to ensure teachers, librarians, and paraprofessionals earn a dignified starting salary—because one job should always be enough,” said U.S. Senator Ed Markey. “AFT MA members are on the front lines of protecting our students and our democracy, and I’m honored to stand with you every day. Together, we will defend our public schools, uphold your rights as workers, and fight for a future where every child in Massachusetts has the best public school education that they deserve.”

“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."

The American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts joined the Healey-Driscoll Administration last week for the release of a first-of-its kind state report on post-college earnings for students who attended Massachusetts’ 29 public colleges and universities.

Five years after graduation, graduates of Massachusetts public colleges or universities make $20,000 to $30,000 more per year than their peers who did not pursue higher education.

"Higher education has long been seen as the great equalizer, but getting a degree is increasingly out of reach for far too many. We are proud to work with the Healey Administration and our Legislative allies to increase affordability and equity at our public colleges and universities,” said AFT MA President Jessica Tang. “Providing the resources and support to ensure our students are able to be successful not only puts them on a pathway toward economic mobility, it is an important investment in our economic security as a state that relies heavily on an educated workforce."

“While we have the utmost confidence in the virtue and facts of our case, we know the damage is already being felt in our schools, with our most vulnerable students suffering the most.

“The Department of Education plays one, very important role in public education - to fill opportunity gaps and ensure every child in America has the ability to succeed.

“Spreading services across multiple departments has nothing to do with increasing efficiency. It is just the latest effort to sow confusion in a way that makes it harder for our students, educators, and schools to access the support they need.

“The White House is not above the law and we will never stop fighting on behalf of our students and our public schools and the protections, services, and resources they need to thrive.”

“Teaching students to read is one of the most important things we do as educators. Literacy skills are foundational skills - ones that are crucial to supporting student development and long-term success.

“The needs of our students vary from district to district, from school to school, even from desk to desk. Strong literacy instruction is responsive to the unique learning needs of individual students and can be complex.

“As passed today, this bill establishes a limited, blanket curriculum that is concerning, particularly to veteran educators who have developed rich and effective evidence based literacy curriculum over the years. Even more concerning is that it bans important, proven tools our educators currently use and use successfully, particularly with our English language learners and students with special needs."

“We thank the Legislature for preventing what could have been catastrophic cuts to our public schools as they face immense financial insecurity after losing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding,”  said AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang. “The cost for many local school districts to ensure every child has a free and equal public education outpaces the investment and reimbursements they receive from the state, particularly as the federal government continues to decrease its contributions. Coupled with a funding system that does not keep up with inflation, the money lost to charter schools is pushing many districts to a breaking point, especially those disproportionately serving the Commonwealth’s neediest students.”

“We remain committed to working with our allies in the Legislature and the Healey Administration to ensure all students have access to a high-quality public education and the services they need to thrive. With public education under assault at the federal level, it is even more critical that our state leaders answer this call so that Massachusetts can continue to lead,” continued Tang.

“When the federal government shuts down, everyone loses. Congressional Republicans and the White House have made a deliberate choice to prioritize tax breaks for the wealthy over the well-being of working families. Instead of facing questions about protecting access to healthcare for millions of Americans, including their own constituents, they chose to hold the government hostage.  

“This is beyond partisan disagreements or political dysfunction. We call on the president and Republicans in Congress to get back to work and do what is right for the hardworking Americans who elected them. It’s time they work with Democrats and find a solution that all Americans deserve — one that protects healthcare, lowers costs, and keeps the government open."

“The Peabody Public Schools and Peabody Federation of Teachers are deeply committed to the wellbeing, safety, and education of all students of Peabody. After a thorough review of the details related to the alleged social media policy violation, the school department and the teacher’s union are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement that will allow the Peabody educator to return to the classroom on October 1, 2025.

“It is important that our community work together to foster greater understanding and respect opinions that differ from our own. We hope that the same things students are learning in the classroom, including how to engage in debate thoughtfully, the importance of empathy, and how to be a critical thinker, can find their way back into our public discourse.

“We look forward to continued collaboration and working together to prevent any further disruptions in our schools.”