We, the United Parents and Families of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, call upon the Massachusetts Legislature to make our children the center of the education funding debates in 2019.

We believe that increases in education funding are important and should happen this year, however, parents and families in Massachusetts expect the next education bill to include the following:

An End to Trickle Down Education Funding

Our education system needs consistent and reliable funding that is spent in the classroom and on our kids. We cannot hand over a blank check to school districts and expect them to spend the money where it matters most.

Transparency and Accountability

Families deserve to know how all new education funding will be spent. Measures must be put in place to hold superintendents, principals, and other stakeholders accountable for making sure as much money as possible is spent in the classroom and on our children.

Close the Achievement Gap

We believe that every child can succeed regardless of race or socioeconomic status. Schools need as many resources as possible to ensure that low-income students and students of color are receiving the high-quality education they deserve. Teachers must be given proper supports to ensure they’re equipped to educate all students.

Teacher Quality

Students coming from low-income communities, children of color and other high-needs children should have access to the highest quality educators.

Teacher Diversity

Recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers of color must be a priority through the allocation of sufficient resources to keep them in the classroom and in front of the children who need to see themselves reflected in classroom, school and district leadership.

More Learning Time

Our children need access to extended time in the classroom with high-quality teachers of color through the expansion of the school day and the school year.

21 Century Buildings and Equipment

Students in every community across the Commonwealth should have access to state-of-the-art school buildings, modern technology, and resources to keep our children safe.

End the School to Prison Pipeline

We believe that schools should be places of joyful learning that set our children on the path to their dreams and not into the criminal justice system.

Together we can make sure the education system works for all families from Boston to the Berkshires, Salem to Sandwich and everywhere in between and beyond.

Sincerely,

Parents and Families