Education & Workforce - Fifth Middlesex Senate District
Preparing People for a Changing Economy
Whether Massachusetts' education and workforce systems can evolve quickly enough to keep pace with a changing economy will shape who gets to share in the state's growth. The state already has some of the best schools and universities in the country, but AI, automation, and shifting industries are changing what a good job requires faster than most institutions are built to adapt. We need a strong and flexible education system and a workforce system that prepares and supports the transition to future jobs.
At a Glance
Lipper-Garabedian, a former public school teacher, points to permanent C3 early-education funding and a bill she filed requiring college-credit pathway programs in every public high school. McDonald, current Finance Chair on Malden's City Council, focuses on reforming the school funding formula and partnering with labor unions on job training and vocational programs.
The Question Candidates Answered: "I support policies that build an education and workforce system that prepares people for a rapidly changing economy."
Kate Lipper-Garabedian: I support this principle
How would you advance this principle if elected? I am a public K-12 school and college graduate, a former public school teacher, the former Chief Legal Counsel to the MA Secretary Education, and a public school parent. As 1 of 10 women legislators raising children while we serve (out of 200 total state legislators), I am thrilled that we've made C3 grants permanent for our early education and childcare ecosystem, the only state in the nation that has maintained pandemic-era historic investments when federal funding ended. Supporting the early education and childcare system is critical not only for our young learners but also for our working parents. I drafted and filed the College in High School bill which would require every public high school in the Commonwealth to offer an intentional pathway program that provides students with college credits and/or career credentials in high school. I've also filed legislation recognizing the importance of our career technical schools and pathway programs in specific industries, like trucking. You can review my legislative portfolio here - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/KLG. As a strong supporter of organized labor, I believe they are an important tool in securing good paying jobs. Additionally, I believe that education is the great equalizer, which is why I am such a passionate supporter of investing in our public education system. Through meaningful investments in education – from cradle to career – we can reduce inequality and open up access to limitless possibilities.
What would success look like? Ensuring that our education continuum – from early education through higher education – has the necessary public investment and appropriate policy conditions would close achievement gaps and eliminate the opportunity divide, creating a thriving economy, new economic sectors, high-paying jobs, and access to upward mobility for all.
Carey McDonald: I support this principle
How would you advance this principle if elected? Education has always been a key to help people advance and build their careers, and we need to make sure our education system is preparing our students for the challenges they face. That starts with a strong early education and K-12 system. With a professional education policy background, and as the current Finance Chair of City Council, I'm focused on changes to our school funding formula so our schools and communities get the resources they need to continue basic services. Far too many communities are being forced to ask for overrides, to address our broken system of local government finance.
I'm proud to be endorsed by the Boston Teachers Union, as well as unions representing human services professionals, firefighters, grocery store workers and building maintenance personnel. We can partner with our unions to create job training opportunities, especially for our highest need communities, that help bring people into our economy and close the achievement gap. I support expanding early college programs, and endorsed the Northeast Metro Tech project to create world class vocational training facilities for our communities.
What would success look like? Again, making sure that we're rebuilding social mobility so that your zip code doesn't determine your success in life.
Ryan O'Malley: not available