Latest news with #MassachusettsTeachersAssociation
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Group behind MCAS ballot question broke campaign finance law, state says
The campaign that pushed to eliminate MCAS scores as a statewide graduation requirement via the ballot box last fall missed a deadline to report nearly $2.4 million in donations, a violation of state law. Last November, the Massachusetts Teachers Union-backed effort was successful in passing Question 2 by a wide margin, forcing state education officials to chart a future where standardized tests scores don't prevent any student from achieving a public high school diploma. It was one of the most hotly-debated Massachusetts ballot questions last fall. Last month, the state informed the 'Committee for High Standards Not High Stakes' that it did not disclose a segment of donations by the required deadline. In a June 24 letter, the Office of Campaign and Political Finance wrote it had determined the committee broke state law 'by failing to timely disclose the receipt of contributions that should have been reported on a minimum of four separate late contribution reports leading up to the November 5, 2024 election.' According to state law, in the two weeks prior to Election Day, campaigns are required to report last-minute donations within 72 hours of receiving them. The letter sent last month indicates the $2.4 million disclosed on Election Day (Nov. 5) — when voters were already casting their ballots — should have been reported on Oct. 24. Read more: New MCAS guidance says former students without diplomas get another chance 'The Committee's failure to file the required late contribution reports frustrated the public's interest in accurate and timely disclosure of campaign finance activity during the relevant period,' state officials wrote. As a result, the committee was fined $4,000 by the state. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Teachers Association said the Committee for High Standards Not High Stakes amended its late October finance report when it realized it did not include some contributions. 'The amended filing was subject to a fine for being late,' the spokesperson said. 'The committee paid the fine.' State education officials are currently assessing what a future requirement may look like to ensure graduates are demonstrating learning and readiness for college, careers and civic life. A survey for the public and community listening sessions held in Taunton, Worcester, Somerville, Holyoke and Barnstable wrapped up in June. Until the state develops a new statewide requirement, school districts are resorting to local graduation standards and competency determinations set by school committees. Controversial guidance previously issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said school districts can still use MCAS scores as part of their local graduation requirements. The leaders of the Massachusetts Teachers Association said the guidance circumvented the intention of the ballot question and, ultimately, the will of the voters. Similarly, the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education recently approved the 'limited use' of MCAS scores to determine if students are satisfying the competency determination for a high school diploma, also drawing blowback from the state teachers union. Trump threatens arrest of NYC mayoral candidate during visit to 'Alligator Alcatraz' Mass. has an on-time(ish) state budget: 3 big things to know about the $61B plan Here's how Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene described support for Trump's 'big beautiful bill' Mass. AG Campbell sues Trump admin for sharing private health info with ICE Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 1849 total abortion ban Read the original article on MassLive.
03-06-2025
- General
Massachusetts high school volleyball team rallies around teammate detained by immigration agents
BOSTON -- A high school volleyball team in Massachusetts is asking fans to wear white to their match Tuesday night to show support for a teammate who has been detained by federal immigration authorities. 'Our game on June 3rd will be played in honor of Marcelo. We will continue to pray and fight for our brother,' the Milford High School boys volleyball team said in an Instagram post. Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a junior born in Brazil, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday on his way to volleyball practice. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Monday that agents were looking for the teenager's father, who owns the car Gomes da Silva was driving at the time. 'Like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or … he's here illegally, we will take action on it,' he said when reporters asked about the teen. Asked why ICE would detain an 18-year-old with no criminal record, Lyons answered, 'I didn't say he was dangerous. I said he's in this country illegally and we're not going to walk away from anybody.' Gomes da Silva has filed a request in federal court seeking to be released as his immigration case proceeds. A judge on Monday gave the government two weeks to respond and ordered that Gomes da Silva not be moved out of Massachusetts without 48 hours' notice given to the court. The arrest has sparked outrage among Democratic officials, including Gov. Maura Healey, who demanded information about his location and whether he is being afforded due process. The superintendent of Milford schools said the district plays no part in immigration enforcement and supports all families, including immigrants. Hundreds of students at the school staged a walkout Monday, holding signs reading 'Free our friend' and 'America was built by immigrants.' Teachers will be at Tuesday night's volleyball game along with other community members who support Gomes da Silva's release, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Teachers Association said. 'The Massachusetts Teachers Association condemns ICE's cruel and inhumane actions in the strongest possible terms,' the union said in a statement. 'We call on leaders at every level to ensure our schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging and safety for all students — not hunting grounds for ICE agents.'
San Francisco Chronicle
03-06-2025
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
Massachusetts high school volleyball team rallies around teammate detained by immigration agents
BOSTON (AP) — A high school volleyball team in Massachusetts is asking fans to wear white to their match Tuesday night to show support for a teammate who has been detained by federal immigration authorities. 'Our game on June 3rd will be played in honor of Marcelo. We will continue to pray and fight for our brother,' the Milford High School boys volleyball team said in an Instagram post. Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a junior born in Brazil, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday on his way to volleyball practice. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Monday that agents were looking for the teenager's father, who owns the car Gomes da Silva was driving at the time. 'Like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or … he's here illegally, we will take action on it,' he said when reporters asked about the teen. Asked why ICE would detain an 18-year-old with no criminal record, Lyons answered, 'I didn't say he was dangerous. I said he's in this country illegally and we're not going to walk away from anybody.' Gomes da Silva has filed a request in federal court seeking to be released as his immigration case proceeds. A judge on Monday gave the government two weeks to respond and ordered that Gomes da Silva not be moved out of Massachusetts without 48 hours' notice given to the court. The arrest has sparked outrage among Democratic officials, including Gov. Maura Healey, who demanded information about his location and whether he is being afforded due process. The superintendent of Milford schools said the district plays no part in immigration enforcement and supports all families, including immigrants. Hundreds of students at the school staged a walkout Monday, holding signs reading 'Free our friend' and 'America was built by immigrants.' Teachers will be at Tuesday night's volleyball game along with other community members who support Gomes da Silva's release, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Teachers Association said. 'The Massachusetts Teachers Association condemns ICE's cruel and inhumane actions in the strongest possible terms,' the union said in a statement. 'We call on leaders at every level to ensure our schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging and safety for all students — not hunting grounds for ICE agents.' ___ Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Massachusetts high school volleyball team rallies around teammate detained by immigration agents
BOSTON (AP) — A high school volleyball team in Massachusetts is asking fans to wear white to their match Tuesday night to show support for a teammate who has been detained by federal immigration authorities. 'Our game on June 3rd will be played in honor of Marcelo. We will continue to pray and fight for our brother,' the Milford High School boys volleyball team said in an Instagram post. Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a junior born in Brazil, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday on his way to volleyball practice. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Monday that agents were looking for the teenager's father, who owns the car Gomes da Silva was driving at the time. 'Like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or … he's here illegally, we will take action on it,' he said when reporters asked about the teen. Asked why ICE would detain an 18-year-old with no criminal record, Lyons answered, 'I didn't say he was dangerous. I said he's in this country illegally and we're not going to walk away from anybody.' Gomes da Silva has filed a request in federal court seeking to be released as his immigration case proceeds. A judge on Monday gave the government two weeks to respond and ordered that Gomes da Silva not be moved out of Massachusetts without 48 hours' notice given to the court. The arrest has sparked outrage among Democratic officials, including Gov. Maura Healey, who demanded information about his location and whether he is being afforded due process. The superintendent of Milford schools said the district plays no part in immigration enforcement and supports all families, including immigrants. Hundreds of students at the school staged a walkout Monday, holding signs reading 'Free our friend' and 'America was built by immigrants.' Teachers will be at Tuesday night's volleyball game along with other community members who support Gomes da Silva's release, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Teachers Association said. 'The Massachusetts Teachers Association condemns ICE's cruel and inhumane actions in the strongest possible terms,' the union said in a statement. 'We call on leaders at every level to ensure our schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging and safety for all students — not hunting grounds for ICE agents.' ___ Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire.
Winnipeg Free Press
03-06-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Massachusetts high school volleyball team rallies around teammate detained by immigration agents
BOSTON (AP) — A high school volleyball team in Massachusetts is asking fans to wear white to their match Tuesday night to show support for a teammate who has been detained by federal immigration authorities. 'Our game on June 3rd will be played in honor of Marcelo. We will continue to pray and fight for our brother,' the Milford High School boys volleyball team said in an Instagram post. Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a junior born in Brazil, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday on his way to volleyball practice. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Monday that agents were looking for the teenager's father, who owns the car Gomes da Silva was driving at the time. 'Like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or … he's here illegally, we will take action on it,' he said when reporters asked about the teen. Asked why ICE would detain an 18-year-old with no criminal record, Lyons answered, 'I didn't say he was dangerous. I said he's in this country illegally and we're not going to walk away from anybody.' Gomes da Silva has filed a request in federal court seeking to be released as his immigration case proceeds. A judge on Monday gave the government two weeks to respond and ordered that Gomes da Silva not be moved out of Massachusetts without 48 hours' notice given to the court. The arrest has sparked outrage among Democratic officials, including Gov. Maura Healey, who demanded information about his location and whether he is being afforded due process. The superintendent of Milford schools said the district plays no part in immigration enforcement and supports all families, including immigrants. Hundreds of students at the school staged a walkout Monday, holding signs reading 'Free our friend' and 'America was built by immigrants.' Teachers will be at Tuesday night's volleyball game along with other community members who support Gomes da Silva's release, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Teachers Association said. 'The Massachusetts Teachers Association condemns ICE's cruel and inhumane actions in the strongest possible terms,' the union said in a statement. 'We call on leaders at every level to ensure our schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging and safety for all students — not hunting grounds for ICE agents.' ___ Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire.
