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Education Spending
Since 2022, the Fair Share Amendment has funded $1.285 billion in new spending on public education across Massachusetts. That includes everything from early education and child care to K-12 public schools and our public college and universities.
Here’s how Fair Share is making a difference for public education:
K-12 Public Schools
Universal free school meals
$239 million
Fair Share funding reimburses local school districts for the cost of providing universal free school meals. Now, every child from Kindergarten to 12th grade, regardless of their income, can get a healthy breakfast and lunch at school – for free. As a result, Massachusetts families are saving $1,200 a year per child, and the number of Massachusetts public school students who are eating a healthy school breakfast and lunch has increased by 24.5% and 16%, respectively.
School building improvements
$160 million
Fair Share funding has supported dozens of school building projects across the Commonwealth, like a new high school in Lowell. It’s also funding a new program to install or maintain clean energy infrastructure in K-12 public schools, which will help make our school buildings healthier for students. Clean energy retrofits will also reduce school districts’ energy costs, so that more money can be redirected to support student learning.
Aid to local public schools
$37 million
Fair Share funding helps support local school districts across the state with higher minimum aid, ensuring that schools have more of the resources they need to keep up with rising costs and support all students.
New education programs
$32 million
Fair Share funding has also supported new early literacy programs ($20 million); early college, workforce, technical and innovation pathway programs ($7.5 million); and the development of a statewide birth through higher education framework for mental and behavioral health ($5 million).
Public Colleges and Universities
Tuition-free community college
$167.5 million
Thanks to Fair Share funding, Massachusetts’ 15 public community colleges are now free for students of any age and income. All students receive free tuition and fees, and lower-income students may qualify for up to $2,400/year to help cover the cost of books, supplies, and other costs of attending college. As a result, students are saving money, and Massachusetts has seen double-digit growth in community college enrollment, reversing a decade of declining enrollment.
Affordable public colleges and universities
Thanks to Fair Share funding, Massachusetts’ 15 public community colleges are now free for students of any age and income. All students receive free tuition and fees, and lower-income students may qualify for up to $2,400/year to help cover the cost of books, supplies, and other costs of attending college. As a result, students are saving money, and Massachusetts has seen double-digit growth in community college enrollment, reversing a decade of declining enrollment.
$199 million
New public higher education programs
$51.5 million
Fair Share funding has also supported an endowment match program for public colleges and universities ($35 million); and wraparound supports and services for public college students ($16.5 million).
Public college buildings and infrastructure
$50 million
Fair Share funding has supported dozens of investments in buildings and physical infrastructure at public colleges and universities, including projects that advance decarbonization efforts, address deferred maintenance, and increase climate resilience. Projects funded by Fair Share include window resealing at Worcester State University, HVAC energy improvements at Mass College of Art and Design’s North Building, a geothermal heat pump replacement at Bunker Hill Community College, and window replacement at UMass Dartmouth’s Dion College of Nursing Building.
Early Education and Childcare
Early Education and Child Care
Grants to child care providers
$175 million
Fair Share funding helps support the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grant program, which provides monthly grants to support early education and care providers’ day-to-day operational and workforce costs.
7,100
How many more licensed child care spots there are now compared to pre-pandemic, thanks to these grants and the stability they provide for child care providers
Support for providers who enroll low-income children
$65 million
Fair Share funding has helped increase the rates the state pays to child care providers who enroll low-income children. Provider rates have increased by 8 to 34 percent, allowing child care providers to raise wages and better serve the children in their care.
Expanded access to child care financial assistance
$58 million
Thanks to Fair Share, thousands of low-income families now have access to child care financial assistance that helps them pay for high-quality childcare, so they can go to work or school knowing that their children are being cared for.
New early education programs
$50.5 million
Fair Share funding has also supported the expansion of pre-kindergarten or preschool opportunities ($10.5 million); salaries and benefits for early educators who serve low-income children ($25 million); and capital improvements to build child care capacity ($15 million).
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