Citizens for Public Schools

10/14/2026

You are invited to a public forum on Governor Healey's proposals for new graduation requirements TONIGHT, October 14 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Community Arts Center at 119 Windsor St., Cambridge.
Here is the agenda:
Brief presentation of proposed graduation requirements
Small group discussions about proposals
Share out and action steps
Dinner and childcare will be provided. Please register in advance.
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSe7lpBX.../viewform
Overwhelmingly, people in Cambridge, Somerville, and around the state rejected the focus on high stakes standardized testing in favor of deeper learning and critical real world skills.
Now, Governor Healey and DESE (Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education) are proposing new graduation requirements. Do you know what they are? Did you know they include state-designed and assessed standardized tests?
The state legislature will be voting soon on these proposals. This is a chance for you to express your own ideas.
The forum is endorsed by The Black Response, Cambridge Retired Educators United (CREU), Cambridge Education Association (CEA), Cambridge Progressive Electoral Collaboration (CPEC), Cambridge Families of Color Coalition and many more.

In 2024, Massachusetts voters rejected the MCAS as a graduation requirement. New graduation requirements are now being proposed, including a state-designed and assessed standardized test, along with other requirements. Come learn about the proposals, share your perspective, and discuss how we should...

10/08/2026

What should Massachusetts’ high school graduation requirements look like? Join the conversation.
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7lpBX_0uAKmQGUNWgiHoB8QEULHjjXMHlbsbSfv6EJ8tW1A/viewform

10/06/2026

"Under regulations the U.S. Treasury Department released Thursday for the Trump administration’s new federal voucher program, states would have no power over how money is spent and for what purpose."

A coalition is pushing for Gov. Maura Healey to opt into a federal school voucher program.

10/06/2026

Citizens for Public Schools showed up at the State House yesterday urging Gov. Healey to opt out of the Trump administration's voucher scheme. Thanks to Sheila Decter, Christine Langhoff, Jonathan King, Alain Jehlen, Julie Johnson and Jillie Santos for standing up for our public schools. Read the Boston Herald's story: https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/10/05/advocates-urge-healey-to-opt-out-of-trumps-education-tax-credit-warn-of-substantial-negative-impact-on-public-schools/

10/02/2026

‼️ The regulations are out—States will have NO ability to decide how money in the federal government’s new voucher scheme is spent. No infrastructure to ensure public money funds public programs that serve all students.

We still don’t know if Massachusetts will participate in this federal voucher scheme. Will Massachusetts open the door to allowing critical public funds to be siphoned off by unaccountable private school operators? Our public school families and educators deserve answers now.

Massachusetts is the birthplace of public education. We must protect it from the latest voucher scheme.

Governor Healey, the time to opt-out is now.

Read our full statement at ma.aft.org/press/protect-public-education.

10/01/2026

CPS is looking for a new Executive Director. Apply to [email protected] by October 12. (Full job listing at citizensforpublicschools.org.)