CAMPAIGN PRESS RELEASE: Statement on Governor Healey's Choice to Stand Against Teachers, Students + High Education Standards

16 October 2024

Today the Yes on 2 campaign released this statement from MTA President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy in response to Governor Healey’s press conference:

“Massachusetts has the best public schools in the country, in large part because of the highly trained workforce of educators who guide our children through rigorous coursework based on a set of uniform, statewide academic standards that are considered the strongest in the country. These educators are the experts closest to this issue, and they – along with 135,000 voters who signed ballot initiative petitions – are calling for an end to the harmful MCAS graduation requirement.

“It’s disappointing that Governor Healey has chosen to side with the few corporate donors opposing Question 2 and against Massachusetts educators, parents and students. 

“Prior to her press conference, the Governor acknowledged on Boston Public Radio that the MCAS graduation requirement harms English language learners. We also know the MCAS graduation requirement does not lead to better instruction and is not responsible for the quality of public schools in Massachusetts. Instead, this requirement limits learning for all students and directly harms the students who are denied a diploma for failing to pass the exam. Moreover, the ballot question does not end the use of MCAS as a diagnostic tool; it simply ends the high-stakes requirement that undermines the goal of preparing students for careers and college.

"The No on 2 effort, which was reported today to be 'barely a campaign' is led by a small number of rich CEOs and conservative organizations, many funded by the Walton Foundation. Many of these entities and individuals were involved in previous efforts to privatize public education and fought, unsuccessfully, against the Fair Share Amendment, which has delivered billions of dollars to our public schools and colleges, as well as public transportation.

"More than 50 organizations, 30 municipal boards and committees, 75 elected officials, and countless volunteers and families have backed the Yes on 2 campaign. We're proud to stand with our broad coalition to fight for our students and educators to end the MCAS graduation requirement."