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Here''s what education gets out of Massachusetts'' new state spending plan - The Boston Globe

The Massachusetts state budget for the fiscal year, as detailed in a comprehensive report by the Boston Globe, reflects a complex and multifaceted approach to funding critical areas such as education, housing, and public services, while navigating economic uncertainties and political priorities. The budget, finalized after intense negotiations between state lawmakers and Governor Maura Healey, underscores the Commonwealth's commitment to addressing long-standing challenges, particularly in education, which remains a cornerstone of the state’s policy agenda. This summary delves into the key components of the budget, with a primary focus on education funding and related initiatives, while also touching on broader fiscal strategies and their implications for Massachusetts residents.

Education funding emerges as a central pillar of the state budget, with significant allocations aimed at bolstering public schools, supporting students, and addressing inequities that have persisted across districts. Lawmakers have prioritized the continued implementation of the Student Opportunity Act, a landmark 2019 law designed to overhaul the state’s education funding formula to provide more resources to underfunded districts, particularly those serving low-income students and English language learners. The budget includes substantial increases in Chapter 70 aid, the primary mechanism for state funding to local school districts, ensuring that schools have the resources needed to meet rising costs and improve educational outcomes. This funding boost is intended to help districts hire additional teachers, reduce class sizes, and expand access to mental health services for students—a growing concern in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on youth well-being.

Beyond K-12 education, the budget also addresses early childhood education, recognizing the critical role that early learning plays in long-term academic success. Investments in universal pre-kindergarten programs are a key feature, with the state aiming to expand access to high-quality preschool for families across Massachusetts. This initiative is particularly targeted at low-income communities, where access to early education has historically been limited. By increasing funding for pre-K programs, the state hopes to close achievement gaps before children even enter kindergarten, setting a stronger foundation for future learning. Additionally, the budget allocates resources for childcare subsidies, easing the financial burden on working families and supporting parents in re-entering or remaining in the workforce.

Higher education also receives attention in the budget, with funding directed toward public colleges and universities to keep tuition and fees affordable for students. The state has made strides in recent years to support initiatives like free community college for certain demographics, and this budget builds on those efforts by providing additional resources to cover costs for low-income students and adult learners seeking to upskill or reskill. Scholarships and financial aid programs are expanded, reflecting a broader goal of making higher education accessible to all residents, regardless of economic background. This focus on affordability is particularly significant given the rising costs of living in Massachusetts, which can deter students from pursuing or completing their degrees.

The budget’s education investments are not without challenges, however. Critics argue that while the increases in funding are substantial, they may still fall short of fully addressing the disparities between wealthier and poorer districts. Some advocates for education equity have pointed out that the pace of funding increases under the Student Opportunity Act, while commendable, needs to be accelerated to meet the urgent needs of under-resourced schools. Additionally, there are concerns about how districts will allocate the new funds, with calls for transparency and accountability to ensure that resources are directed toward initiatives that directly benefit students, such as hiring more counselors and special education staff, rather than administrative overhead.

Beyond education, the budget reflects a broader set of priorities that intersect with the state’s educational goals. For instance, investments in housing and economic development are framed as complementary to education funding, as stable housing and family financial security are critical to student success. The budget includes measures to address the state’s housing crisis, with funding for affordable housing projects and rental assistance programs. Lawmakers argue that by stabilizing families, these initiatives indirectly support students who might otherwise face disruptions due to housing insecurity. Similarly, workforce development programs funded in the budget aim to prepare residents for high-demand jobs, which in turn can improve family incomes and create a more robust economic environment for schools to thrive.

The fiscal strategy underpinning the budget also reveals the delicate balance state leaders must strike between ambitious investments and economic realities. Massachusetts, like many states, faces uncertainties related to inflation, potential federal funding fluctuations, and the long-term impacts of the pandemic on tax revenues. To fund the education and other initiatives, the budget relies on a combination of state revenues, including income from the so-called “millionaires’ tax,” a voter-approved surtax on high earners that has provided a significant influx of funds for education and transportation. This revenue stream has allowed the state to avoid deep cuts to critical programs, even as some lawmakers express caution about over-reliance on a single source of income that could be vulnerable to economic downturns.

Governor Healey, in her remarks on the budget, emphasized the importance of education as a driver of opportunity and equity in Massachusetts. She highlighted the state’s historical commitment to public education and framed the budget as a continuation of that legacy, while also acknowledging the need for innovation to meet modern challenges. Her administration has pushed for targeted investments in areas like vocational education and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs, which are seen as essential for preparing students for a rapidly changing job market. These priorities are reflected in the budget through grants and partnerships with businesses to create pathways for students to gain hands-on experience and skills.

The budget also addresses the growing need for mental health support in schools, an issue that has gained prominence in recent years. Funding is allocated for school-based mental health programs, including hiring more counselors and social workers, as well as training teachers to recognize and respond to students’ emotional needs. This focus comes in response to alarming data showing rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges among young people, exacerbated by the social isolation and stress of the pandemic. Advocates for student well-being have praised these investments but stress that sustained funding and long-term strategies are necessary to build a robust support system within schools.

In addition to direct education funding, the budget includes provisions for infrastructure improvements in schools, recognizing that the physical environment in which students learn plays a significant role in their success. Grants are available for districts to repair aging buildings, upgrade technology, and ensure that schools are safe and accessible for all students. These investments are particularly critical in older urban districts, where many school facilities have not been updated in decades and pose health and safety risks to students and staff.

The Massachusetts state budget, with its strong emphasis on education, represents a comprehensive effort to address both immediate needs and long-term goals for the Commonwealth’s students. While the funding increases and policy initiatives are widely seen as steps in the right direction, they also highlight the ongoing challenges of achieving true equity in education and balancing competing fiscal demands. As the state moves forward with implementing the budget, stakeholders—including educators, parents, and policymakers—will be closely watching to ensure that the promised resources translate into meaningful improvements in classrooms and communities across Massachusetts. The budget serves as a testament to the state’s commitment to education as a public good, but it also underscores the complexity of turning that commitment into tangible, equitable outcomes for all students.

Read the Full The Boston Globe Article at:
[ https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/11/metro/massachusetts-state-budget-education/ ]