Massachusetts
U.S.
Rank
Rank
#37 D
Overall PPI Score: 64%
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Leadership
Your Governor:
Maura Healey (D) (50)
First term began in 2023 (no term limit).
Governor Healey is following the same path on which she started a year ago, which means little to no effort to look creatively at the problems Massachusetts families face with their traditional public schools. Perhaps a dose of parent power is needed to shake the Governor into a different way of thinking.
STATE LEGISLATURE:
No major legislative efforts were initiated to push for innovative approaches to educating the Commonwealth’s children. The legislature is following the lead of its Governor and not addressing concerns that will continue to worsen if they don’t adopt a more forward looking approach in Massachusetts. Weak laws and weak leadership do not add up to strong and innovative opportunities for children.
Constitutional Issues
"The Massachusetts Constitution contains an extremely restrictive Blaine Amendment. The Massachusetts Supreme Court has interpreted that Blaine Amendment broadly and allowed public funds to flow to private school students only under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and for transportation." (Institute for Justice)
Transparency
Massachusetts provides crisp and transparent school data. School and district report cards are easily accessible from the Massachusetts Department of Education homepage using the dropdown menu, then by going under the “Data and Accountability → School and District Profiles” subheading. Report cards provide parents with information on student demographics, academic achievement, and state accountability measures, among other items. This information is easy to navigate and understand.
Educational options are a core focus of the state's website, with its own heading under the menu dropdown, which directs families to information on charter schools and homeschooling, among other options.
School Board elections in Massachusetts occur separately from the general election cycle, often resulting in reduced parental influence and a diminished ability to make their voices heard due to lower voter turnout.