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The Massachusetts Advantage Education

Education in Massachusetts

Massachusetts was the birthplace not only of the American Revolution, but also the cradle of the Industrial Revolution in the United States. The Commonwealth has a long and distinguished tradition of ingenuity, innovation and entrepreneurship that makes it an ideal location for conducting business. Today, a Massachusetts education starting at kindergarten and continuing through the local colleges offers students, parents and employers unique advantages.

Massachusetts students have performed well in comparison to their peers across the nation and the world.

• Since 2005, Massachusetts’ 4th and 8th grade students have been first or tied for first on all four examinations of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which compares the Commonwealth to all 49 other states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity in Math and Reading at the 4th and 8th grade levels.
• The 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, which compares students from 60 different countries, Massachusetts 4th grade students ranked second worldwide in science achievement and tied for third in math, while our 8th grade students tied for first in science and ranked 6th in math.

In addition, Massachusetts’s 57 vocational schools offer state-of-the-art programming in Culinary arts and Hospitality (Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School), Forestry/Horticulture (Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School), and Biotechnology (Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School District) that are directly responsive to employers’ needs.

Colleges

The access to a highly trained, innovative, and educated supply of workers coming out of the colleges makes Massachusetts the location of choice for businesses looking to link their research with colleges and universities. See the list of colleges by clicking here.

Education Resources

• Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM)

  Established in 1967 by college and university presidents, AICUM consists of 59 degree-granting, accredited independent, or private, colleges and universities in the Commonwealth. AICUM is the leading voice on public policy matters relating to independent higher education in Massachusetts.

• Association of Independent Schools in New England

  AISNE, the Association of Independent Schools in New England, provides services to members, promotes educational leadership and advocates for the independence of member schools and the value of independent education.

• Gradschools.com: Directory of Graduate Programs

  Visitors can search for graduate programs in Massachusetts (and worldwide) by fields of study. Posted search results include contact information, profile, and degrees offered.

• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

  This site offers a number of resources, including statistical data, reports, school directories, school profiles, contact information, and locus maps are also available.

• National Center for Education Statistics

  Visitors to this site can find material like The Digest of Education Statistics; state, national, and international education indicators; statistical projections; and special topic summaries on education.

• New England Board of Higher Education [NEBHE]

  This organization is the leading source of information on New England economy and higher education, including Massachusetts. This site offers statistical information highlighting the high quality of the K-12 educational system in Massachusetts. Visitors can also find sections on student services, education opportunities, and research services.

• Science and Engineering Resources

  This site from the National Science Foundation offers documents, data, and analyses about the nation's science and engineering resources.

• The Education & Career Center

  Peterson's is the publisher of school and college guides, and the resources offered here include searchable lists of preparatory schools, colleges and universities, graduate schools, and other institutions.