Education

Mike's understanding of education issues has garnered endorsements from both the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) and the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts. Read why both the MTA and the AFT Massachusetts endorsed Mike over the other candidates.

Students of all backgrounds should have equal access to a college education. Mike believes strongly that we must strive to provide our youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to gain rewarding employment, to participate in our democracy, and to contribute in a meaningful way to our society. Mike believes that the federal government should adequately fund education in our cities and towns, and that it honors its legislative mandates by providing requisite resources to meet them – including proper funding for students with disabilities.

No Child Left Behind Act

Mike was one of 41 members of the House to vote against the No Child Left Behind Act. He feared that the bill would give states and, by default, municipalities the burden of mandates without enough money to fulfill them. He also disagreed with the legislation’s overemphasis on standardized testing as the almost sole measure by which to gauge student achievement.

When No Child Left Behind comes up for reauthorization, Mike will work to send additional dollars to our schools, specifically aimed to provide teachers with the tools necessary to educate our children.

Mike will remain vigilant in ensuring that federal standards do not interfere with ones set forth by the Commonwealth, and that the state of Massachusetts continues to seek in its students their fullest potential.

A Record on Which to Stand

As Mayor of Somerville, Mike invested heavily in the construction of new schools. When his tenure as Mayor ended, Somerville had two brand new schools and four others in various stages of revitalization. All were equipped with an infrastructure ready to accommodate future technologies. As a result of his efforts, Somerville students received important access to certain tools required in a changing economy.

When Mike left the Mayor’s office in January 1999 to become the 8th District Congressman, class sizes in Somerville averaged a remarkably-low nineteen (19) students, an accomplishment for any municipality, let alone a city of over 75,000.

During Mike’s tenure, young children could attend kindergarten for a full day, free of charge—an uncommon service afforded to Somerville residents.

Higher Education

Mike is fortunate that 32 colleges and universities call his district home. Between students and college employees, members of the academic world make up a large part of his constituency. Colleges and universities not only play a vital role in education, but they are also major employers and economic engines for the entire Commonwealth.

Last month, Mike voted to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the form used by families to receive financial aid for college. The same bill also directed all funding for federal student loans through the Direct Loan Program. This move will save taxpayers $87 billion. The maximum Pell Grant will also be increased to $5500.

Part of the economic recovery, community colleges provide skill development for individuals changing careers to compete in expanding job markets, such as “green” jobs or careers in health care. Mike knows that we must support community colleges as enrollments increase and has been fighting in Congress for the allocation of new funding and resources.

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Mike recognizes that a good education requires not simply a sound education policy, but also access—for our children—to health care, adequate nourishment, housing and a healthy home environment. This requires that several different policies work in concert toward providing our children the conditions under which they may succeed.

To learn more about where Mike stands, we encourage you to attend an event, listen to one of Mike's podcasts, or watch one of Mike's videos.