Press

“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.”

"Freedom of speech is also a hallmark of our country. It is alarming that we're seeing a widespread increase in efforts to silence and penalize Americans for speaking on a matter of public concern in a private capacity. The First Amendment should apply to all, not the few. When an educator is put on leave, the impacts are felt in the classroom, with our students losing out on valuable instruction time. It is important that all who are targeted receive due process rights, another hallmark of our democracy and country, and we will vigorously defend their rights.    

"It is regrettable that the Peabody School District chose to disrupt their students’ education over allegations with no bearing on its schools or its learning environment.  Educators are allowed to have opinions on public concerns, just like everyone else.

"Instead of protecting that right, Peabody and other school districts have created conditions where educators and their family members are facing harassment and threats, even as many accusations have proven to be unfounded.

"The AFT Massachusetts will continue to protect the right to free speech for all educators and make sure anyone facing harassment or retaliation has their right to due process upheld."

“We condemn all forms of violence, including political violence. This year alone, there have been 47 school shootings with 19 lives lost. Right now, educators across the country are focused on providing their students a safe space to learn and grow at a time when many are living in fear. We hope that the same things we teach in the classroom - how to engage in debate thoughtfully and peacefully, the importance of empathy and critical thinking, and non-violent conflict resolution – can find their way back into our society and public discourse.

“Freedom of speech is also a hallmark of our country. It is alarming that we're seeing a widespread increase in efforts to silence and penalize Americans for speaking on a matter of public concern in a private capacity. The First Amendment should apply to all, not the few. When an educator is put on leave, the impacts are felt in the classroom, with our students losing out on valuable instruction time. It is important that all who are targeted receive due process rights, another hallmark of our democracy and country, and we will vigorously defend their rights.   

“Instead of having serious conversations about the gun violence epidemic that has gripped our nation and our schools, we’re having to address the impacts of targeted bullying and harassment - both of which have no place in the classroom or in our democracy.”