Bean Town Times

WELLESLEY, MA – On Saturday, May 13, 2023, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) attended the MetroWest Scholars Early Start End of Year Celebration. A joint initiative by Framingham State University and Massachusetts Bay Community College, the program allows local high school students to take classes for college credit. After initially serving Framingham and Milford, the program has expanded into Waltham Public Schools with the help of $600,000 that Whip Clark secured in the federal budget. 

“The best pathway to opportunity is a great education, and the Early Start program puts our high school students on the fast track to a successful future," said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5). "I was proud to secure additional funding to expand this incredible program into Waltham – ensuring every student can access higher education regardless of their background or zip code.”

The Early Start program creates pathways to college completion and economic stability for local ELL, first-generation, newcomer, and underserved populations. The program currently serves almost 600 students, of which 42% are English language learners, 70% are first-generation students, and 82% are people of color.  

“The overall success is highly due to the community outreach, engagement, and wrap-around support given to the families.  We were fortunate enough to have received a grant from Congresswoman Clark which allowed us to expand into Waltham,” said MetroWest Scholars Early Start Program Director Roxana Marrero. “The grant has funded two important positions: one in the community and one in the district.  As a Latina leader who was raised between Puerto Rico and Waltham, I am grateful that my Waltham community has this opportunity.  We grew from 34 students in 2021 to 205 students by 2023.  Waltham scholars in two years have earned 496 credits saving families 157,200 in tuition.”

Helping kids and working families is a priority for Whip Clark in Congress. In addition to securing $600,000 for this early college program, Clark secured $400,000 for MassBay Community College to train more early childhood educators and $3 million to build a child care facility in Stoneham. She also ensured that the most recent federal budget included more than $20 billion for child care and education projects across the nation.

A photo from the event can be found here.

Original source can be found here.