Throughout the pandemic, MEEP has been focused on two things:

1. Urging state and local education leaders to ensure that students continue to learn and families receive the support they need regardless of where kids were learning from, and
2. Helping elevate the voices of students, families and educators most affected by the pandemic through our ongoing #MeetTheMomentMA campaign.

Now, as Massachusetts shifts from pandemic response to recovery with billions of dollars in new federal and state funding on the table, we are working to make sure that our state seizes this unique opportunity to build back stronger and tackle inequities that have long undermined learning experiences and outcomes for students of color, economically disadvantaged students, English learners and students with disabilities.

The first step to solving a problem is acknowledging it exists. For too long, Massachusetts’ high average achievement has enabled the state to avoid confronting the deep disparities in opportunity and outcomes hidden behind our rankings. A key priority of the Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership is to draw attention to and challenge these inequities through advocacy and action.

Research clearly shows that teacher diversity matters for all students, and especially for students of color. Students of color who have a same-race teacher are more likely to attend school regularly, perform higher on assessments, graduate from high school, and consider college. For White students, diversity can reduce bias.

Yet too few Massachusetts students benefit from teacher diversity. Statewide, only 8% of teachers are people of color, as compared to 40% of students. What’s more, unequal, biased working conditions lead teachers of color to leave the profession at higher rates than their White counterparts.

Turning these patterns around is critical to student success. We are actively working on recommendations for state and district action. Keep an eye on this space for more.