Statement from Jessica Tang, President, Boston Teachers Union, on the passing of Student Opportunity Act
On October 23, State Representatives passed the Student Opportunity Act, a historic victory for the students, union educators, and community partners across the state who have fought for equitable funding for our public schools.
The passage of this bill, which provides $1.5 billion in funding for public schools, will have an indelible impact and improve learning conditions for students and educators across the Commonwealth. Communities that have been disproportionately impacted by inequitable funding and a previously outdated funding formula will now have access to more resources to support ELL students, students with special needs, and low-income students.
We applaud house leadership for adopting language passed in the Senate to address charter reimbursement—this is an important step in fulfilling the legislature’s obligation to districts that have been chronically underfunded. BTU members and our community partners will continue advocating for parents, educators and students to have a voice in the development of district plans and the use of all new funds.
Today, we celebrate the work of grassroots activists, labor and organizations who have insisted on the right of our communities to have fully and equitably funded schools. We will continue to build an education justice movement that guarantees every student and educator has access to the schools our communities deserve.