Press

“Over the last four years, Dr. Tutwiler has led the Executive Office of Education with infectious joy and energy, underscoring what we can accomplish when we have leaders focused on ensuring each student, each school, and each educator has the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. We deeply appreciate both his commitment to our public schools as well as collaborative and inclusive approach to leadership.

“Like Dr. Tutwiler, Dr. Stephen Zrike has spent decades working in public schools across the Commonwealth. We appreciate that Governor Healey is focused on filling this important position with leaders who have worked in our public schools and have a deep understanding of the public education system in Massachusetts.

“AFT Massachusetts educators and staff worked alongside Dr. Zrike during his years as a principal in the Boston Public Schools and then in Salem, where he has served as superintendent for nearly six years. Dr. Zrike has earned a strong reputation as a professional educator of the highest caliber who stays laser focused on the needs of students and families, while also respecting dedicated educators in the classroom."

“As educators, we fully support evidence-based literacy curriculum. We also know that it will take more than just curriculum for our students to fully thrive as they progress from learning to read to reading to learn.

“Teaching students to read is one of the most important things we do. Literacy skills are foundational skills - ones that are crucial to supporting student development and long-term success.  It is important that our school districts also have the support, resources, and staffing they need to successfully implement curriculum and instruction. 

“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, which can be complex. The bill the Senate passed today underscores components of high quality curriculum while allowing educators to use the tools currently being utilized in the classroom that are proven to be impactful, particularly with our English language learners and students with special needs.

AFT Massachusetts joined Governor Maura Healey today as she unveiled an Executive Order to protect Massachusetts residents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers who continue to operate with unchecked authority fulfilling the immigration agenda of the White House.

“Masked ICE agents have been raiding communities across the Commonwealth for months, ignoring the Constitution and our basic human rights. Immigrant families are gripped by fear,” said American Federation of Teachers President Jessica Tang. “Children cannot learn if they don't feel safe. These threats take an emotional, psychological, and physical toll on our children and their families.”

“Educators are going above and beyond to try to reassure students and families that schools and their surroundings are the safe spaces they are supposed to be,” continued Tang, who was present at today’s announcement. “But that message rings hollow when parents are detained on the way to dropping their child off at school or when students who are here legally are detained and sent out of state. Children fear when they walk out the door, their family might not be there when they return.”

“Rising costs coupled with drastic cuts to services have made the state’s already high cost of living untenable for most working families across the state. We are living in an economy that does not work for working families.

“The cost for many local school districts to ensure every child has a free and equal public education outpaces state investment. Districts are now teetering at the edge of a fiscal cliff.

“We know this is just the first step in the budget process and see hopeful signs in this budget to address the significant fiscal challenges our communities are facing. But we also know that this must be the baseline to build on because failing to safeguard our communities now allows temporary cuts to become permanent damage, which would be catastrophic for some of our largest, poorest, and neediest communities.

“If Massachusetts wants to remain first in the nation for education and is truly dedicated to protecting our students and the knowledge-based economy our state relies on, we must see a larger level of investment, one that takes into account the true fiscal realities our districts, public libraries, and universities are facing.” 

“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."

“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."