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The state should hit the pause button on its deeply flawed school and district accountability system, AFT MA President Beth Kontos tells state education officials in a May 12 letter. “The current ‘test, rank, label, and punish’ approach to accountability is causing serious and demonstrable harm,” Kontos writes. “Until that harm can be stopped, all accountability measures and DESE interventions should be suspended – not just for 2021-22 but indefinitely.”

The letter was written in response to a proposal by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to give DESE commissioner Jeff

AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos and Secretary-Treasurer Brant Duncan are thrilled to announce the winners of the union’s 2022 Distinguished Service Awards.

The Distinguished Service Awards are presented annually to AFT Massachusetts members who have demonstrated an outstanding level of service and dedication to their local union. Here are this year’s winners:

PreK-12 Educator

Sharon Nash, AFT Amesbury. A member of AFT Amesbury since 2001, Sharon has taught as a kindergarten and first grade teacher at the Amesbury Elementary School. She has served as a building representative, a member of

In public comment submitted on February 23, AFT MA President Beth Kontos sharply criticizes a proposal by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to continue its ranking of schools based on biased and inaccurate MCAS-derived measures.

DESE has proposed suspending certain school accountability measures for School Year 2021-22, citing unreliable MCAS data from School Year 2020-21, when MCAS was administered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, DESE plans to continue in 2022 with the heart of its accountability regime: the calculation of the school percentile metric, which is

This month's Bulletin includes information about current negotiations, the need for a new Leahy, why the Fair Share Amendment is vital and much more!

As we have heard over and over again, the F.M. Leahy school is not fit for learning, and not fit for teaching. With rain and snow coming in failing roofs, dripping on desks, it is falling apart and crowded beyond reason. On 2/15 we will pack the city hall chambers. This is a big ask, one that is vital to ensuring that the basic needs of our students and teachers are met. Thank you for your support.

WHO: YOU and your fellow LPS educators who care about our kids

WHAT: The Lawrence Teachers Union is going to PACK THE ROOM and TAKE THE MIC during the “Public Comment” portion of the City Council

Help the AFT Massachusetts celebrate the service of an educator, librarian, nurse, or school related-personnel whose leadership has made our union stronger. Nominations are now being accepted for our 2022 Distinguished Service Awards, which recognize substantial contributions made to the development of the union at the state and local levels, from membership building and leadership training to the advancement of political and professional issues important to the union.

Who will you nominate to be recognized at the AFT Massachusetts annual convention in May 2022?

Awards will be given in each of

"Starbucks workers in Greater Boston are at the forefront of the national campaign to form a union, and they have the full support of AFT Massachusetts and the 23,000 educators, librarians and school employees we represent," said AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos. "Like union educators, Starbucks baristas know that a union means a real voice in the workplace, better wages and benefits, and protection against abusive management. Right now, Starbucks workers are working for less than they deserve, while the company ignores their valuable ideas. At the same time, Starbucks' CEO made more

Members of the LTU holding signs for Kendrys Vasquez at the Parthum on Primary Day. 

Menbers of the LTU volunteered at the Bread and Roses Festival on September 6, 2021.  Members passed out books, school supplies, and backpacks to many incoming students. Some members worked in other parts of the Festival too.   

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