April 22, 2025, Boston, MA – National Parents Union President Keri Rodrigues released the following statement on the appointment of Pedro Martinez as Massachusetts Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:
“Massachusetts parents are eager to welcome Pedro Martinez as our next Commissioner of Education. We’ve been waiting a long time for bold leadership that listens to families and delivers results for our kids, not just lip service and political theatre.
“Pedro Martinez is walking into a commonwealth that is deeply divided on public education, where too many families, especially Black, Brown, immigrant, low-income, and special education families, have been left out of the conversation and left behind. He’s got a record of driving change in Chicago and other cities, and we are cautiously optimistic that he understands this can’t just be business as usual in Massachusetts.
“We’re not interested in more reports, more task forces, or more bureaucratic delay. We’re looking for leadership that centers our kids.
“So to Commissioner Martinez, we say: welcome to Massachusetts. We are ready to work with you, and we’ll also be watching closely. Families across the Commonwealth are organized, energized, and expecting results. Let’s get to work.”
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
With more than 1,800 affiliated parent organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, the National Parents Union is the united, independent voice of modern American families. We channel the power of parents into powerful policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities across the United States. https://nationalparentsunion.org/