4.11 Public Support for Education

The competitive edge in the national and global economy will depend in large part on investments by the state, region and city in public education.  The region’s knowledge-based industries demand a highly educated and well-prepared workforce. The Boston area already has one of the highest educational attainment rates in the country.  But as young people leave for areas that have a lower cost of living, the region cannot depend on attracting highly educated people from outside.  Without continued public support for public education, the region is at risk of losing its competitive edge.

While the state and the City of Boston have substantially increased investments in K-12 education, investment in early childhood and higher education has lagged.  Building a strong foundation for success in early childhood, sustaining the investments made in K-12 and building the investment in higher education are critical priorities for the city, the region and the state.