State of Massachusetts secondary Archives: on Education
Allen Waters:
No free college, no government loans
I don't advocate free tuition which shifts the burden to taxpayers. I believe that free market forces can get colleges and universities to align their pricing with the ability of students and families to pay.
When government mixes in the free market, such as helping students with government backed loans, it creates market distortions. One of the ways to reduce rising college costs is to phase out government backed lending, leaving it to the private sector.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senate campaign website AllenRWaters.com
Jul 17, 2017
Allen Waters:
More choice, more charter schools
That's why I am an advocate for school choice like public charter schools, when traditional public schools fail the youth at the most critical time of their lives.
In some Massachusetts communities, too often urban, but not always, local public schools are not doing well, under performing their peers, statewide.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senate campaign website AllenRWaters.com
Jul 17, 2017
Bob Massie:
Charter schools should be limited
Q: What do you think of Governor Baker's desire to expand charter schools? Baker said he would respect the voters' will on the ballot initiative to not expand charters, but disagreed. A: I believe that charter schools suck too much money
out of the public school system. They started as a means of experimentation and innovation, [and] they now are starting to have a negative effect on some of the communities where they're being brought in, and so it's a question of balance.
Source: WGBH Boston Public Radio on 2018 Massachusetts governor race
May 18, 2017
Carla Howell:
Federal government out of education
Seven cents out of every school dollar spent in Massachusetts comes from the federal government, but they impose the lion’s share of mandates and regulations and strings. The Constitution does not authorize the federal government
to involve itself in education in any way, shape or form. Federal involvement makes things worse. Our illiteracy rates keep going up, our dropout rates keep going up. We need to get the federal government completely out of education.
Source: Eric Darbe, Massachusetts News
Jan 5, 2000
Charlie Baker:
Lift the cap on public charter schools
In Massachusetts, we're home to some of the highest performing public schools in the country, many of which are public charter schools serving low-income families in communities of color.
In fact, they had higher scores than students from every K-8 school in Massachusetts. A state that places such high value on education should not place arbitrary limits on high-quality schools. I urge you to lift the cap on public charter schools.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Massachusetts legislature
Jan 21, 2016
Charlie Baker:
Update Foundation Formula for urban vs. suburban districts
25 years ago, Massachusetts wasn't a national leader in public education. Since then, we've achieved remarkable success by working together on a series of education reforms. As a result, Massachusetts students have scored number one on the National
Assessment of Educational Progress exams in English and math for much of the past decade. And last year finished first on the Advanced Placement exams as well.
But when it comes to the difference in performance between urban and suburban school
districts, we can and must do better. The Foundation Formula needs to be updated and we'll propose updates when our budget is filed later this month.
But progress isn't just about money. Our budget will also include opportunities for underperforming
school districts to invest jointly with the Department of Education in proven best practices like acceleration academies, professional development, after school enrichment and leadership development programs.
Source: 2019 Massachusetts governor inaugural (State of the State)
Jan 3, 2019
Charlie Baker:
Added 4,000 seats to vocational and technical schools
Think about the Commonwealth's leadership on national issues. We have a K-12 education system that, despite its limitations, is the envy of the country. This story was written by a large cast of leaders and contributors across decades
of deliberation and action. We added 4,000 seats to our superb vocational and technical schools. And we invested $50 million in capital grants to upgrade equipment and expand programs in high demand fields.
Source: 2019 Massachusetts governor inaugural (State of the State)
Jan 3, 2019
Charlie Baker:
Vocational schools should provide classes in three shifts
We'll launch a $15 million partnership with our vocational schools to give thousands of people, 'hands-on' educational opportunities. The partnership will transform vocational schools, to provide classes in three shifts. Adults can take classes during
the evening. Traditional high school students can take classes after their regular school day. And full-time vocational school students attend as they do now. These Career Technical Institutes will turbocharge our approach to applied learning.
Source: 2020 Massachusetts State of the State address
Jan 21, 2020
Deval Patrick:
Supports charter schools
I will support charter schools (especially Horace Mann charters) by developing funding mechanisms that do not disadvantage district schools and measuring charter schools
in part by whether they are producing innovative ideas that can be imported into district schools.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.22
Sep 15, 2005
Deval Patrick:
Expand early education opportunities
Because early learning is critical to future academic success, I will expand education opportunities for 3- and 4-year-olds, specifically, by working to pass pending legislation that addresses this need.
I will also ensure that free, full-day Kindergarten programs are available for all 5-year-olds in Massachusetts.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.22
Sep 15, 2005
Deval Patrick:
Extend the school day, and explore extending the school year
Classroom teachers are consistently asked to do more in the same or less time. In fact, the school day is still markedly shorter than the work day, leaving many students unsupervised and unengaged in the afternoons.
I will fund extended day initiatives, including additional compensation to teachers and other professionals, to enable more learning time for our kids. I will also explore the feasibility and academic impact of extending the school year.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.22
Sep 15, 2005
Deval Patrick:
Reduce class sizes; offer more after-school programs
Smaller class size in early grades appears to hold the greatest promise for increased academic gains. My administration will support efforts to reduce class sizes in early grades by addressing issues of the availability of space, funding and qualified
staff. We must pursue strategies to take better advantage of the many excellent after-school programs in Massachusetts today, so that students have access to a seamless extension of the academic curriculum.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.22
Sep 15, 2005
Deval Patrick:
Improve assessment tools including MCAS and beyond
Higher expectations for student performance are essential. I support the MCAS, including the addition of a science component, as a high school graduation requirement. However, I do not believe it should be the sole assessment of student academic progress
Consistent with our objective to educate the whole child, we must develop and use additional assessments tools to measure other vital aspects of academic achievement.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.23
Sep 15, 2005
Deval Patrick:
Reinvest in public higher education
Public higher education is critical to our economy, because nearly 85 percent of public higher education students stay in Massachusetts after graduation. These institutions are preparing our future workforce. Specifically,
I will issue bonds to invest in expansion and development of public colleges and universities. Proceeds from the bonds issued to support stem cell research, for example, will be invested in research facilities
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.24
Sep 15, 2005
Don Berwick:
Teachers are not the problem; they are the solution
Berwick said in a statement, "Teachers want to be agents of improvement, and I will ensure that they have every resource and support necessary to be that. In health care, commerce, and education, alike, excellence surfaces only in institutional
cultures built on teamwork, collaboration, and total involvement, not on 'carrot-and-stick' management or enforced compliance with simplistic standards. Teachers are not the problem; they are the solution."From 2000 to 2013 there have been cuts to
the budget for higher education by 31%. Berwick plans on working on innovative solutions to raise college completion rates in low income communities. He also plans on creating more support in vocational and technical
programs in high school and community colleges and wants to make available in-state tuition rates for undocumented residents. Berwick stated, "Education in Massachusetts should be world class, across the board, and accessible to all."
Source: BostInnovation on 2014 Massachusetts Governor race
Jan 28, 2014
Don Berwick:
Student loan forgiveness for grads entering some professions
Avellone and Coakley said they would support student loan forgiveness for graduates entering certain professions, while Grossman called for a four-year tuition freeze at public universities and Berwick said making health care affordable will help
graduates pay their loans. Several also noted their support for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren's bill, pushed by the president on Monday, to allow students to refinance their education loans at lower rates.
Source: WWLP 22-News on 2014 Massachusetts gubernatorial debate
Jun 10, 2014
Geoff Diehl:
Charter schools have more flexibility
Ideas we need to support to include charter schools. The schools have more autonomy than traditional schools when it comes to staff,
budget, curriculum and assessments, and calendar, which allows them more flexibility to address student needs.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senatorial website DiehlForSenate.com
Oct 1, 2017
Heidi Wellman:
Vouchers for school choice
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Vouchers for school choice"?
A: YES
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Massachusetts Senate candidate
Mar 7, 2018
Jay Gonzalez:
Fierce advocate for high-quality early education
On January 30, 2017, Jay launched his campaign for Governor. His campaign is motivated by his commitment to public service and his belief that, if we aim high, work hard, and support each other along the way, we can make a meaningful difference in
people's lives.Jay has been a fierce advocate for high-quality early education for all of our children, and is the former Chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Governor campaign website jay4ma.com
Mar 11, 2017
Jay Gonzalez:
Take on big challenge of making college affordable
I'm running because I think we need to make Massachusetts a leader again.
I think we've got a lot of challenges we're facing that are holding people back and we need to be taking them on ambitiously and trying to make real progress for people in a way that they're going to feel.
When it comes to making college affordable, making it affordable for people to get child care or fixing our transportation system, we've got a lot of big challenges.
We need to take them on and I think I've got unique leadership experience--both in the public sector and the private sector--to deliver on that ambitious agenda.
Source: Boston Herald on 2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial race
Apr 26, 2017
Jay Gonzalez:
Opposed expanding charter schools
Gonzalez, who served as chairman of the board of the state's Department Early Education and Care, said he would use the proceeds from a surcharge to ensure universal access to pre-kindergarten. "If I'm governor,
we will have a system where every single child in the state gets the solid start my kids got," said Gonzalez, the father of two daughters. "Wait lists will end, and we will have the best quality system in the country."
He said he opposed the ballot question last November that would have expanded charter schools in the state, arguing that it would only "have been a
solution for a few kids in urban centers." Gonzalez said he wants to see education reforms that will benefit all students.
Source: Commonwealth Magazine on 2018 Massachusetts governor race
Jan 30, 2017
Jesse Gordon:
Incentives for tuition, & retroactively for college loans
Q: Every American who studies hard in school should be able to go to college without going deeply into debt. For that, we need to work towards making tuition free at public colleges and universities throughout America, stopping the federal
government from making a profit on student loans. A: Agree.
Candidate's position on this issue: Incentives for tuition and low student loans rate should also be applied retroactively to those still paying off their student loans.
Source: ORMA questionnaire on 2018 Massachusetts governor race
Jul 31, 2017
John Kerry:
Providing student loans for college kids is an ethical issue
[To William Weld]: Why do you veto student loans for kids who want to go to college? That's an ethical issue for the working person.
Source: Kerry/Weld: A Classic Senate Race In Massachusetts, CNN.com
Oct 29, 1996
John Kingston:
Parents should have choices
I will advocate for federal funds to be deployed to support educational opportunity and choice, because I believe all parents should have a choice as to
where to send their children, not just the well-off. We must close failing schools and hold teachers and administrators accountable for reasonable and thoughtfully measured results.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senatorial website JohnKingston.com
Oct 15, 2017
Karyn Polito:
Opposed federal school breakfast supplement
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:No Child Left Behind. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated a state supplement to th
federally-funded school breakfast program whereby all eligible children shall be provided free, nutritious breakfasts at no cost to them.
Relevant platform section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: No Child Left
Behind: "We believe that young people are our most precious resource, and we see inherent worth and promise in every child. Ours is truly the Party that seeks to "Leave No Child Behind."We endorse, therefore, the goals established under The Children's
Defense Fund initiative of that name, to ensure every child a healthy start [which includes CDF's support of school breakfast programs]."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 252
Source: Massachusetts Senate voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 14, 2003
Karyn Polito:
Voted NO on 3-year moratorium on charter schools
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part II: Education:Full Funding. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted NO].
Would require 3 yr moratorium and empower commission to study feasibility of charter schools.
Relevant section of platform: PART II: EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND OPPORTUNITY:
Full Funding: "We call upon the state to change funding of Commonwealth Charter schools to ensure that funds are not drained from established public schools."
Source citation: Bill H.4000 ; vote number 88
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
May 6, 2003
Lori Trahan:
High quality public education is key to our economic future
Lori Trahan believes that high quality, public education is the key to unlocking our nation's true economic potential, a path towards creating new opportunities, and ensuring that the American Dream is still attainable for all.
Lori will help to improve and offer support for improving our public schools and universities for students, teachers, and parents. Higher-education and student loans shouldn't be a barrier to achieving your dreams.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts 3rd House campaign website LoriTrahan.com
Oct 9, 2018
Marty Walsh:
Supported federal school breakfast supplement
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:No Child Left Behind. [State Rep. Walsh voted YES].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated a state supplement to the
federally-funded school breakfast program whereby all eligible children shall be provided free, nutritious breakfasts at no cost to them.
Relevant platform section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: No Child Left
Behind: "We believe that young people are our most precious resource, and we see inherent worth and promise in every child. Ours is truly the Party that seeks to "Leave No Child Behind."We endorse, therefore, the goals established under The Children's
Defense Fund initiative of that name, to ensure every child a healthy start [which includes CDF's support of school breakfast programs]."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 252
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Maura Healey:
Pandemic requires additional support for public schools
The right to a public education is constitutionally protected in Massachusetts, and Healey said in order to honor that right, the current system needs additional money from the federal government--with protections for public schools over private
schools. "I don't know why we don't recognize that fundamentally as a society, not only it's the right thing to do, it's just bedrock to building the kind of community, economy and state that we aspire to by supporting education."
Source: WGBH (NPR Radio) on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Jun 23, 2022
Maura Healey:
Opposed ballot measure expanding number of charter schools
Maura is a longtime advocate for equitable funding for our public schools and improved behavioral health services for our students. She supported the Student Opportunity Act, which provides more equitable funding for our school districts.
She opposed the 2016 ballot measure that would have drained millions from our public schools by expanding the number of charter schools in the state.
Source: 2022 Massachusetts Governor campaign website MauraHealey.com
Jun 7, 2022
Richard Tisei:
Opposed federal school breakfast supplement
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:No Child Left Behind. [State Senator Tisei, a Republican, voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated a state supplement to th
federally-funded school breakfast program whereby all eligible children shall be provided free, nutritious breakfasts at no cost to them.
Relevant platform section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: No Child Left
Behind: "We believe that young people are our most precious resource, and we see inherent worth and promise in every child. Ours is truly the Party that seeks to "Leave No Child Behind."We endorse, therefore, the goals established under The Children's
Defense Fund initiative of that name, to ensure every child a healthy start [which includes CDF's support of school breakfast programs]."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 252
Source: Massachusetts Senate voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 14, 2003
Scott Brown:
Opposed federal school breakfast supplement
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:No Child Left Behind. [State Senator Brown, a Republican, voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated a state supplement to the
federally-funded school breakfast program whereby all eligible children shall be provided free, nutritious breakfasts at no cost to them.
Relevant platform section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: No Child Left
Behind: "We believe that young people are our most precious resource, and we see inherent worth and promise in every child. Ours is truly the Party that seeks to "Leave No Child Behind."We endorse, therefore, the goals established under The Children's
Defense Fund initiative of that name, to ensure every child a healthy start [which includes CDF's support of school breakfast programs]."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 252
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Scott Brown:
Voted NO on 3-year moratorium on charter schools
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part II: Education:Full Funding. [State Senator Brown, a Republican, voted NO].
Would require 3 yr moratorium and empower commission to study feasibility of charter schools.
Relevant section of platform: PART II: EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND OPPORTUNITY:
Full Funding: "We call upon the state to change funding of Commonwealth Charter schools to ensure that funds are not drained from established public schools."
Source citation: Bill H.4000 ; vote number 88
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
May 6, 2003
Setti Warren:
Invest in new school facilities & classroom resources
Setti has fostered a top-tier public school system by investing in new facilities, community spaces, and classroom resources. He is committed to reducing the achievement gap through initiatives like the summer reading challenge,
the high school pitch competition, and the city's summer youth high school internship program. Under Setti's watch, education outcomes in Newton have dramatically improved.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts governor campaign website SettiWarren.com
Jun 1, 2017
Setti Warren:
Make all public colleges and universities tuition-free
Of the eight specific federal legislative proposals in ORMA's "People's Platform," I am fully comfortable supporting the first five, including the Free Public College Act, and I will work to implement each of these in Massachusetts as governor.
Sponsor press release on H.R. 1880 Federal-State partnership to eliminate tuition and required fees:
The College For All Act would aim to make all public colleges and universities tuition-free for anybody making less than $125,000.
It would also aim to make community college tuition-free for everybody, at any salary level. "Our young people are forced to make untenable choices: Going to college and taking on mountains of debt, or foregoing their college degree to work part-time
or minimum wage jobs that simply won't allow them to build a future," House lead sponsor Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA7) said in a press release. "We're going to piece back together the broken promises of a broken American Dream."
Source: ORMA questionnaire on 2018 Massachusetts governor race
Dec 20, 2017
Shiva Ayyadurai:
Educational-industrial complex not yielding skilled students
Dr. Ayyadurai took aim at the educational industrial complex, which he said is not producing students with tangible skills, as evident by the fact, for every 17 skilled job openings only one person is ready to take on those jobs. His main target was
Harvard University, who he labeled a "Fake University that is actually a $45 billion dollar hedge fund." He said, "We need to tax Harvard and use those proceeds to fund real skills-based education."He also proposed the elimination of the
4-year undergraduate degree for entrance into medical school. On the topic of student loans, he wants students to be permitted to default on their loans, pointing out that the banks had taken on a business risk, and part of doing business was to live
with the consequences of taking on such risks. He criticized these banks for giving predatory loans to students without any background checks on either their ability to repay the loans or the value of their degrees.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senate campaign website shiva4senate.com
Nov 14, 2017
Sonia Chang-Diaz:
Young people shouldn't have to carry decades of student debt
Things like giving every kid a fair and strong chance in life; making it so that we don't all have to sit in traffic for hours on end; making it so that you don't have to worry about going bankrupt if you have a medical emergency in your family;
aspiring that young people do not have to carry decades worth of student debt on their backs after working for years to get a degree. These are not radical ideas.
Source: WBUR 90.9-NPR on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Jul 22, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023