Business Groups Urge Legislators to Resist Writing a Blank Check for Education

December 13, 2018 – Responding to growing demands to increase state education funding, the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education and members of our business affiliate network are calling on state leaders to resist calls to write a blank check for education.  State leaders must set specific, higher improvement targets, particularly to serve our most disadvantaged students, and implement reforms that close the racial and socio economic achievement gaps and workforce skills gaps that threaten the economic and social health of the state.

Every job that goes unfilled because no one is qualified for the position is a missed opportunity for a student.  We need to do more to help them seize those opportunities.

Just 37% of Massachusetts students who finished ninth grade in 2009 went on to complete a post-secondary credential.  That is tragically low given estimates that 72% of jobs in the Commonwealth will require a career certificate or college degree by 2020.  Employers feel the results of this disconnect every day.  Workforce availability is a significant challenge.  At the same time, students miss out on opportunities to secure good jobs in our knowledge economy.

The solution is not just more funding.  How the money is spent matters.  MBAE and our affiliates are calling for funds to be set aside to spur school innovation that closes achievement gaps and increases college and career success as a part of any change to our state education funding formula.  The state must also act quickly to better prepare students for the workforce through measures that increase student opportunity to gain workplace experience and the credentials demanded by employers.

Signed by:

The Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education

Associated Industries of Massachusetts

Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation

1Berkshire

Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce

Bristol County Chamber of Commerce

Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce

Concord Chamber of Commerce

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Mass Technology Leadership Council

Massachusetts Competitive Partnership

Massachusetts High Technology Council

Massachusetts Society of CPAs

Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce

Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce

Newton-Needham Regional Chamber

North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce

Orleans Chamber of Commerce

Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce

SouthCoast Chamber

Springfield Business Leaders for Education

Springfield Regional Chamber

TechNet

Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce