Effective Teaching Campaign
An excellent teacher in every classroom. Strong leadership in every school. That’s our vision for all children in the Commonwealth. Visit our Resource Center to learn more and to get involved!
FY2011 Budget
On June 30, Governor Patrick signed a $27.6 spending plan for FY2011 that reflects difficult economic times and includes millions of dollars in painful cuts to public education. However, thanks in part to your advocacy efforts, Chapter 70 education aid and local aid to communities were only cut by 4% even though the Legislature had to cut nearly $700 million more than expected because the U.S. Senate has not yet extended federal stimulus funds in the form of the Federal Medical Assistance Program (FMAP). Reflecting our state’s commitment to public education, the Conference Committee stipulated that if Massachusetts receives additional funding from FMAP reimbursement, many education line items will be funded at higher levels. See “Just the Facts” for details. Despite current economic challenges, Stand for Children members remain committed to advocating for long-term revenue and cost-saving measures to ensure that our classrooms have the resources they need.
For more information about the FY2011 budget, visit Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center at http://www.massbudget.org/ and the state’s “FY2011 Budget Process and Documents” page.
Race to the Top
On June 1, Massachusetts submitted a competitive application for round 2 of the Race to the Top grant competition. The application was supported by the Massachusetts Teachers Association and 276 districts and charters – 20 more than the first round application. To learn more about Massachusetts’ application, visit the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website. For details about the Race to the Top competition, visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/index.html.
Miss Our Race to the Top Town Hall Call?
Secretary of Education Paul Reville answered your questions on April 1 about the results from round 1 in the Race to the Top competition. See the transcript here, or listen to a recording of the conversation.
Groundbreaking Win for Massachusetts’ Children
Thank you for speaking up for children: Your advocacy made a difference!
On January 14, 2010, the legislature delivered a strong education reform bill that reflects input from parents, educators, and community leaders. An Act Relative to the Achievement Gap will help close the achievement gap and ensure that Massachusetts remains a national leader in public education.
Advocates like you sent hundreds of emails to legislators, lobbied in person, distributed letters throughout the State House and spoke at press conferences. Your energetic voice for children brought attention to critical issues over the past several weeks and strengthened the final legislation.
To learn more, read our summary and analysis or read the full text of the bill: An Act Relative to the Achievement Gap
"Stand for Children was an enormously important part of the coalition that helped build public support for the education reform bill…The conversations you've had and will continue to have at the State House are critically important…It's through your advocacy that we're able to do great things for kids. I'm enormously grateful." - Representative Marty Walz, House Chair, Joint Committee on Education