Education

MassBudget Brief: Fiscal Year 2012 Chapter 70 Education Aid Preview

archive, Budget Resources, Education / By

While projecting Chapter 70 state education aid ahead of the formal budget process is always an inexact science, the precarious economic recovery and the termination of most federal recovery aid make predicting the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 budget particularly challenging. Of the $4.07 billion in Chapter 70 aid distributed in FY 2011 $221 million is federal recovery money–$21 million from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund and $200 million from the Education Jobs Fund–none of which will be available for FY 2012. In addition to this uncertain revenue picture, a set of other variables further complicates projecting Chapter 70 funding, leading us to run a few separate projections, outlined in four sections of this paper.

Higher Education Attainment Helps Weather Downturn

archive, Education, News / By

MASSACHUSETTS (WAMC) – Massachusetts is weathering the economic downturn better than most states, that’s according to a new report released by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports that the reason for the state’s performance is its’ commitment to higher education over the last three decades.

FMAP and an Education Jobs Fund: State Fiscal Relief To Strengthen the National Economy, Reduce State Budget Cuts, and Create Jobs

archive, Budget Resources, Education, Jobs & the Economy / By

Last week the US Senate passed a bill that would approve extended state fiscal relief from the federal government, and the US House is reconvening today to vote on the extension. The legislation would provide approximately $655 million to Massachusetts — $450 million in enhanced Medicaid (FMAP) reimbursements, which is $250 million less than the $700 million originally anticipated, and another $205 million in funding for education through a new Education Jobs Fund.

An Unstable Ladder: How the Fiscal Crisis is Threatening Education and Work Support Programs for Many Women

archive, Education, Jobs & the Economy, Kids / By

State programs in higher education, employment training and child care enable residents to attain and keep quality jobs. While these programs are open to all, in each area women make up a substantial majority of those using these programs and services to improve their economic standing and support their families. This report examines state support of higher education, employment training and childcare–describing how these programs work, why they are important to the participation of women in the workforce, and the strains on both the programs and participants brought about by the economic crisis.

Scroll to Top