Public News Service

There have been 2,097,915 FAFSA applications completed for the 2024-2025 school year. That's a 9.5% decline from the previous school year, according to the National College Attainment Network. (Adobe Stock)<br />

MA college aid experts optimistic FAFSA rollout will be glitch-free

College financial aid experts in Massachusetts say this year's phased rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid should be error free…

A Massachusetts Teachers Association poll found 74% of poll respondents support a policy in which students would still take the MCAS, but would not need a passing grade to earn their diploma. (Adobe Stock)

English-language learners struggle to meet MCAS graduation requirement

Educators in Massachusetts say the MCAS high school graduation requirement is disproportionately affecting English language learners, the fastest …

Massachusetts is now the eighth state to adopt a permanent universal meals program, which will be paid for by monies raised through the Fair Share Amendment, or

MA 'millionaire’s tax' generates windfall for public education

The Massachusetts state budget has been finalized and public education leaders say students came out on top. More than $1 billion generated by the …

Up to $31 trillion in U.S. economic activity hinges on helping young people complete learning delayed by the pandemic, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Research shows that students who don't advance beyond lower levels of math may be 50% more likely to be unemployed after high school. (Adobe Stock)<br />

High housing costs in MA impacting childrens’ overall well-being

Massachusetts is known for its quality education and health care systems, but high housing costs are straining family budgets and impacting …

MassEducate would invest $75.5 million in new spending to cover tuition and fees for all residents, and offer an up to $1,200 stipend for books, supplies and other costs to students who make 125% or less of median income in the state. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

Free community college plan in MA burdens underpaid, overworked staff

The Massachusetts Senate has proposed free community college for all residents, but educators say an influx of new students could overwhelm the …

States are increasingly dropping high school standardized exit exams in favor of alternative assessment methods. In 2014, 24 states required students to pass a standardized test to receive their diploma. Now, only eight maintain the requirement. (Adobe Stock)

MA ballot measure would end MCAS graduation requirement

Massachusetts voters could face a possible ballot measure this November to end the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System graduation requiremen…

More than six in every 1,000 people in the U.S. are behind bars, the highest incarceration rate in the world, despite the U.S. having lower crime rates than other countries. (Adobe Stock)<br /> <br />

Boston U. Prison Education Program celebrates 50 years of changing lives

Boston University's Prison Education Program is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and is hoping to expand. Students at Massachusetts Correctional …

Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group Student advocates say the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative has already helped to grow cultural food options at Middlesex Community College, enroll eligible students for SNAP benefits at UMass Boston and provide meals for homeless students during breaks at Salem State University. (MASSPIRG)

MA students urge lawmakers to fund campus anti-hunger efforts

A coalition of college students and administrators is asking state lawmakers to help fight food insecurity on campus. The group is asking for $2 …

The American Federation of Teachers in Amesbury is calling on the School Committee to support an 8.04% increase to ensure level services for students and retain staff and reject an initial 3.16% proposal, which they say would be

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Proposed Amesbury school budget cuts rally parents, educators

The Amesbury School Committee will hear from educators and parents tonight as they rally to prevent more than $2 million in proposed cuts to their sch…

Studies show a correlation between ample tree canopy in urban areas and reduced heat-related ambulance calls during extreme heat events. (Adobe Stock)

New online tool helps Boston grow tree equity

A new online tool is helping community groups in Boston ensure all neighborhoods reap the benefits from urban tree canopies. The Tree Equity Score …

40% of public schools nationwide reported it was very difficult or difficult to fill mental health professional roles, during the 2022-23 school year. (Adobe Stock)

School counselors teach time management to counter students’ high rates of stress

Time management is an essential skill for academic success, but school counselors say it can also help counter students' increasing struggles with …

Education Support Professionals are working to lift their pay to achieve a living wage as defined by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Living Wage Calculator, which shows workers require a minimum of $45,000 to get by. (Adobe Stock)<br />

MA public school support staff fight for a living wage

Lawmakers in Massachusetts are considering legislation to ensure Education Support Professionals in public schools earn a living wage. ESP's do it …

Over the last decade, the average grant aid per full-time undergraduate student has doubled, from $5,190 in 2001 to $10,590 in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

MA families in limbo as college financial-aid awards delayed

Families in Massachusetts will have to wait even longer for financial aid offers from colleges and universities this year because of an error in the F…

The Jan. 6 Committee's final report revealed members of the Oath Keepers and other Trump allies stockpiled weapons near Washington, D.C., as they waited for the former president to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy the military for domestic law enforcement. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Social media's 'networked incitement' the latest challenge to democracy

The use of social media to organize the Jan. 6 insurrection marked a turning point in American political protest, according to a leading media and …

There were 45 book challenges in Massachusetts in 2022 affecting 57 titles, however no books have been banned in the state, according to the American Library Association. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Legislation aims to classify book bans as federal civil rights violations

New federal legislation would classify discriminatory book bans as violations of federal civil rights law. The Books Save Lives Act would ensure …

A recent survey by the Anti-Defamation League found nearly three in four Jewish students in the U.S. have experienced or witnessed antisemitism this school year. The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights has also opened investigations into alleged Islamophobic incidents at least a half-dozen colleges and universities. (Adobe Stock)

University presidents testify on rise of antisemitism on college campuses

College presidents testified before a congressional committee Tuesday on the rise of antisemitism on college campuses since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led …

The cost to attend public colleges in Massachusetts is increasing faster than it is in any other state, while the average graduate in Massachusetts carries more than $33,000 in debt. (Adobe Stock)

Student loan payment restart riddled with errors for MA borrowers

A new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found the repayment process for federal student loans has been filled with errors…

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy say MassReconnect could ultimately help more than 1 million people further their education, and will be paid for by revenue from the new

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Community college faculty in MA demand contract funding

The union representing faculty and staff at Massachusetts's 15 community colleges are demanding a pay raise. They're asking the state legislature …

Among households with a high school or college student, 44% said they experienced some form of educational disruption due to COVID-19, according to a BestColleges survey. They also responded they were worried about negative impacts on their students' ability to enroll or continue enrollment in college. (Adobe Stock)

Schools aim to prevent second-year college stop-outs

Colleges nationwide are improving services for students to ensure they stay enrolled after the challenging first two years. Administrators say their …

More than 6,000 blue economy businesses in Massachusetts employ a total of 100,000 individuals, who earn nearly $4 billion in annual wages. (Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers, scientists advocate for MA’s 'blue economy'

Lawmakers and scientists in Massachusetts are working to bolster the state's growing "blue economy." Several pieces of legislation aim to create a "b…

Wages for low- and middle-income workers in Massachusetts have not risen substantially since the late 1970s, while wages for upper-income workers have increased fourfold, making it difficult for<br />people with low incomes to cover basic needs, according to to a study by MassBudget. (Adobe Stock)<br />

MA 'baby bonds,' expanded tax credits aim to end racial wealth divide

Legislation introduced in Massachusetts aims to reduce the racial wealth gap by creating a statewide "Baby Bonds" program. It is a publicly-funded…

Legislation introduced in Massachusetts would teach students about the Native American history of the region and the contemporary Indigenous peoples who live here, including the Aquinnah Wampanoag, Mashpee Wampanoag, Nipmuc and Massachusett. (Adobe Stock)<br />

MA aims to teach Native American heritage, improve mental health

Advocates for Native American students in Massachusetts are working to improve high school graduation rates by improving students' mental health…

High school graduation rates in Massachusetts increased in the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022, which did not have to pass the MCAS due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Citizens for Public Schools. (Adobe Stock)

Parents, Educators Urge End to MCAS Graduation Requirement

Parents and educators in Massachusetts are joining forces to end the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) high school graduation requi…

Because of increased revenues in the recently passed state budget, many public school districts across Massachusetts will see the minimum aid per student double from $30 to $60. (Adobe Stock)

MA Lawmakers Approve Tuition Equity for Undocumented Students

Students won big in the recently approved Massachusetts state budget. Lawmakers approved an additional $150 million in financial aid for students …

Americans' confidence in higher education has fallen to 36%, compared to 48% in 2018, with the rising cost of education likely a significant factor, according to a new Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Affordability Limits Higher Ed Access in MA as Public Confidence Declines

Advocates for higher education in Massachusetts say increasing costs and limited amounts of financial aid prevent too many deserving students from ear…

The costs of employing a dental therapist are about a third to a half that of a dentist, making hiring them an affordable way to treat more low-income and uninsured patients, according to the National Partnership for Dental Therapy. (Adobe Stock)

Dental Therapy Movement in MA Aims to Address Health Equity

More than 300,000 people in Massachusetts lack access to proper dental care, and health advocates said increasing the number of licensed dental …

The federal civil rights complaint filed by Lawyers for Civil Rights states that nearly 70% of Harvard's donor-related and legacy applicants are white, and they receive a substantial admissions boost based on their status. (Adobe Stock)

Civil Rights Complaint Challenges Practice of Harvard Legacy Admissions

Following the Supreme Court's decision to end race-based affirmative action, a Boston-based civil rights group is working to end the practice of …

The cost of free public higher education for Massachusetts has been estimated to be between $1 billion and $1.6 billion per yearm but advocates note that increased public higher education spending also leads to increased tax revenues and savings in state spending programs. (Adobe Stock)

Higher Ed Advocates: Cherish Act Could Help Counter Supreme Court Decisions

Education advocates in Massachusetts say state lawmakers could help counter the Supreme Court's recent decisions to end affirmative action and student…

A new report finds the 11 private colleges and universities of western Massachusetts alone contribute $3.3 billion annually to the regional economy, and are often the largest single employer and procurer of goods and services in many communities. (Adobe Stock)

Study Reveals Impact of Private Colleges, Universities on MA Economy

Private colleges and universities across Massachusetts have a more than $70 billion annual impact on the Commonwealth, according to a new report…

The child care crisis is costing the American economy $122 billion a year in lost earnings, productivity and tax revenue and putting great stress on parents, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Inaccessible, Unaffordable Child Care Hurts MA Families

Massachusetts ranks first in the nation for education and children's health but a lack of quality child care poses great challenges for families…

Nearly 80% of Education Support Professionals have college degrees, and many carry large amounts of student debt, according to the Massachusetts Teachers Association. They are bargaining to ensure they can pay off their debt and climb the education career ladder. (Adobe Stock)

Education Support Professionals Create 'Bill of Rights' for Better Pay

Support staff in public schools across Massachusetts have created a "Bill of Rights" to help them organize for better pay and benefits. Known as …

Fewer than half of transition-age young people received one or more of the federally funded foster-care services meant to prepare them for success as adults between 2013 and 2021, according to a report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Fewer Youth Transition Out of MA Foster Care System

The number of children transitioning out of the foster care system has dropped significantly in Massachusetts, according to a new report. The number …

Elementary students who spend more than two hours a day on screens are more likely to have emotional, social and attention problems, while students who have screens in their bedrooms tend to perform worse on academic tests than do those who do not. (Adobe Stock)

Screen-Free Week Challenges Families to Power Down, Reconnect

Starting today, families throughout Massachusetts will swap their digital entertainment for the annual challenge of "Screen-Free Week." The global …

Educators in Massachusetts support passage of the Thrive Act, which would remove high-stakes testing requirements for graduation, end state takeover of public school districts with low test scores, and allow districts to create alternative assessment systems. (Adobe Stock)

MA Educators Rally for Passage of the Cherish Act

Hundreds of advocates for higher education will gather in Springfield today, where they will lobby in support of what they call a transformative …

2023 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Dani Charbonneau, who runs the Project Vine Alternative Program at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, is the first Martha's Vineyard teacher to win the state's top award for educators. (MTA)

MA Teacher of the Year: “There’s Room for Alternatives”

Massachusetts, like other states, continues to struggle with a shortage of teachers. But for one English teacher at Martha's Vineyard Regional High …

New polling from the Massachusetts Teachers Association finds 83% of respondents favored establishing a state commission to study and make recommendations on a better student assessment system, one that considers more than just standardized test scores. (Adobe Stock)

Public Supports Changes to High-Stakes Testing for MA Students

As educators across Massachusetts prepare to administer high-stakes tests for students this spring, new polling shows the public supports changes to …

Tax Loophole Could Be Costly for MA Public Schools, Transportation

The Commonwealth could lose up to $600 million in annual revenue meant for public schools and transportation if lawmakers fail to close a tax loophole…

In the past two decades, the number of students taking out loans to attend a four-year public university in Massachusetts jumped by 105%, while those borrowing to attend a community college increased by 45%, according to the Hildreth Institute. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Affordability Limits MA’s Higher-Ed Attainment Goals

Massachusetts is not only the most educated state, it also had some of the highest increases in educational attainment between 2019 and 2021…

The Center for State Policy Analysis found the Massachusetts millionaires' tax would raise about $1.3 billion in 2023 alone, and do so in a

MA Advocates of Higher Ed Set Goals for Fair Share Revenue

Advocates for higher education in the Commonwealth will gather today to collaborate on how to use revenue generated by the Fair Share Amendment which …

study
by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation estimates a gross state product increase of about $25 billion over five-years if the Commonwealth were to eliminate the racial disparities of wages, housing, investments, and wealth. (Adobe Stock) ">

Baby Bonds Aim to Close Racial Wealth Gap in MA

A task force assembled by the state treasurer's office said investing in government-issued Baby Bonds could help close the racial wealth gap in the Co…

The manufacturing industry regained 63% of the jobs lost during the pandemic, but the remaining 570,000 had not been added back by the end of 2020, despite a near-record number of job openings in the sector. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br /> The manufacturing industry regained 63% of the jobs lost during the pandemic, but the remaining 570,000 had not been added back by the end of 2020, despite a near-record number of job openings in the sector. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

Voc-Tech Schools in MA Help Reduce Skills Gap

Educators say Masschusetts's system of vocational-technical high schools could serve as a model for other states struggling with a critical shortage o…

Massachusetts voters approved the Fair Share Amendment, also known as the

MA Educators Celebrate Passage of Fair Share Amendment

Educators across the Commonwealth say voters showed their commitment to public education in the midterm election by passing the Fair Share Amendment…

Research from the National Institute on Aging links social isolation and loneliness to higher risks of high blood pressure, depression and cognitive decline. (Citizens for Citizens)

Retired MA Seniors Bring Life Experience, Hugs to Kids at School

A program matching low-income seniors with area schools in need of additional help is providing some retirees with a new outlook on life. The Foster …

The Massachusetts Teachers Association says high-stakes testing in schools is diverting precious time and energy needed for teaching and supporting students mental-health needs. (Adobe Stock)

Not Enough School Counselors to Meet Needs of MA Students

In Massachusetts schools, the counselor-to-student ratio is critically high, with one counselor for every 364 students. Some 70% of public schools …

In addition to a bill to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, there is legislation in Massachusetts to protect Native American heritage, remove racist mascots from schools, and teach Native American culture and history. (Adobe Stock)

Backers of Indigenous Peoples Day Vow to Keep Working for MA Recognition

While the Commonwealth still recognizes today as Columbus Day, backers of replacing it with Indigenous Peoples Day said it would be an important …

A new report by the Massachusetts Teachers Association shows the Commonwealth has the fastest-growing price tag for public college, and the second-fastest growth in student debt, nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

Students Want College and University Debt Forgiveness, Too

Students bolstered by recent student debt forgiveness say their next challenge is canceling the debt carried by colleges and universities, which also …

According to a 2021 report, about 80% of residents in the mostly immigrant-populated city of Chelsea were deemed essential workers, meaning they had to continue working during the less knowledgeable early days of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

New Internship Program Focused on Immigrant Health

A new internship program is looking to investigate health disparities among Massachusetts' immigrant population. The Immigrant Scholar Internship …

A new report recommends schools increase the number of mental-health professionals on campus. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

Massachusetts Ranks #1 in Child Well-Being

Massachusetts ranks first in the nation for children's well-being, according to the 2022 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation…

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MA: Education