The THRIVE Act … An Act empowering Our Students and Schools to Thrive

Finally!! A bill that will address the horrible harm caused by the high stakes, punitive use of standardized tests (MCAS), such as state takeovers (receiverships) and denying students high school diplomas. We have to contact our representatives and senators to urge them to cosponsor the House and Senate Bills. Members of Lowell’s House delegation have all signed on to cosponsor: Rodney Elliott, Vanna Howard, and Rady Mom. Check in your home district to see if your legislators have done so. If not, please call and/or email them to do so! Watch for future actions that you can take to help move this forward!

The Senate Bill is S246 and the House Bill is H495. Refer to these numbers when you call/email your legislators.

Use the AFTMA link below to send n email to your legislator!

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/help-pass-the-thrive-act

If you need more help finding the names of your legislators, follow this link:

https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Fund Our Future

Members of the United Teachers of Lowell worked tirelessly throughout 2019 to ensure passage of the Promise Act - now known as the Student Opportunity Act. Through our collaboration with local and state advocacy groups, this legislation passed and was signed by Governor Baker in November 2019!

AFT-MA/Fund Our Future Boot Camp, December 2019

Partnering with parents and community advocates is an important step in ensuring increased funding resulting from the Student Opportunity Act is directed toward our students. On December 14, 2019, Members of the United Teachers of Lowell attended the Fund Our Future Boot Camp in Boston, MA along with members of Lowell Education Justice Alliance. This collaborative group is continuing to advocate for funding steps that will ensure our students, families and schools are funded equitably and that the needs of the community are reflected in the LPSD Strategic Plan.

First Book

In November 2016, the United Teachers of Lowell collaborated with AFT-MA, AFT, and FirstBook to bring a truck filled with over 44,000 books to our students and families in Lowell FOR FREE. Members of the UTL worked together to bring this event to our community. For more information, take a look at our First Book Invades Lowell video.