Boston, Massachusetts – Today, Latinos for Education released a statement regarding the adoption of $15 Million in the Joint Conference Committee’s final budget for the Tomorrow’s Educator Scholarship & the Educational Debt Payment Assistance. The budget will now move to the Governor’s desk for signage.
The $15 Million investment includes funds to assist educators with the cost of attending college, and providing financial assistance to educators through scholarships, while the remaining investment will address the repayment of loans that many educators accrue in the process of obtaining their teacher certification in higher education.
“We want to thank the Budget Conference Committee for including the $15 million scholarship and payment assistance program in the final budget because we understand the difference it will make for our districts and future educator workforce,” Amanda Fernandez, Founder and CEO of Latinos for Education explains. “With these funds more Latino educators will have the opportunity to pursue careers in teaching across the state and enter the teaching profession without the financial worries and debt that so many educators of color take on to become teachers.”
“When the adults in our schools are culturally and ethnically diverse, the world of our students grows and their educational experience is enriched,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “As we work to tackle a persistent opportunity gap among students of different backgrounds, we know that a diverse educator workforce is especially critical for the success of students of color. I’m really pleased to support the FY23 budget which includes $15M in funding to diversify our teaching workforce.”
“The inclusion of the scholarship and payment assistance program in the final FY23 budget represents the Legislature’s commitment to diversifying the educator workforce across Massachusetts,” said Representative Alice H. Peisch, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I would like to thank Speaker Mariano, Chairman Michlewitz, and my House colleagues for supporting this critical funding. I look forward to continuing to build on this important work next session with my fellow legislators, Latinos for Education, and the broad coalition of education advocates.”
“Diversifying our teacher workforce is truly about giving students the opportunity to excel in their education by encouraging students to bring their best selves to the classroom every day,” said Division Leader, State Representative Frank A. Moran (D – Lawrence). “The Tomorrow Educators Scholarship and the Educational Debt Repayment Assistance program will prioritize the diversification in the Gateway cities that I represent in Lawrence and Methuen, and I am excited about our students having a more racially and ethnically diverse teaching force.”
“As a Senator for two Gateway Cities, I see firsthand the urgent need for teachers of diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem). “For our Commonwealth to succeed we must ensure that educators, especially educators of color, get the support they need. Moreover, it is vital that our educators are reflective of the communities in which they teach. I am proud to have filed an amendment and worked with my Legislative colleagues to pass a budget that addresses this growing demand by appropriating $15 million to provide payment and debt assistance to individuals who pursue this noble profession. Thank you Senate President Spilka, Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, Vice Chair Friedman, Senator Lewis and all the conferees for your leadership.”
“I was thrilled to see the inclusion of $15 million in the final Fiscal Year 2023 Budget for Latinos for Education. Filing this amendment to the Senate Budget debate, in collaboration with my colleague Senator Lovely, was a no brainer. Growing up Afro-Latinx in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood I saw firsthand and experienced the gaps in education that exist in vulnerable communities said Senator Adam Gomez “I want the children of today and tomorrow to have equitable access to high quality education, taught by people who look and sound like them, regardless of where in the state they are located. Thank you to Senate President Spilka, Chair of Senate Ways and Means Senator Rodrigues, Senator Lovely, the honorable members of the FY23 Conference Committee, and of course the people at Latinos for Education for their hard work!”
“The Educator Diversity Coalition led by Latinos for Education is thrilled to see this funding included in the final budget” said Manny Cruz, Director of Advocacy, Massachusetts for Latinos for Education. “On behalf of our coalition we would like to thank Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, the House Ways and Means Chair State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, the Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, and the joint committee on Education Chairs State Representative Alice Peisch and State Senator Jason Lewis for their leadership and advocacy on this critical funding. We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Senator Adam Gomez and Senator Joan Lovely who filed amendments in the Senate budget in support of this critical investment. We urge the Governor to sign this landmark budget in order to further support the educator pipeline.”
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About Latinos for Education:
Latinos for Education is a national education non-profit organization focused on developing, placing, and connecting essential Latino talent in the education sector. The organization is mobilizing a network of skilled education leaders to ensure the voice of students and families is not only heard but factored into decision-making in schools, communities, and education institutions throughout the U.S. The organization also ensures Latino education professionals have access to a nationwide network of peers as well as career and professional development opportunities across the country through the members-only EdCentro network. For more information visit: https://www.latinosforeducation.org.
Media Relations Contact:
Nicole Murphy
256-425-1964
Nmurphy@rabengroup.com
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