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MassINC Policy Center The nonprofit MassINC Policy Center produces rigorous, nonpartisan research and collaborates with civic leaders to find solutions to complex social and economic challenges.

The MassINC Polling Group The MassINC Polling Group is a full-service survey opinion research company offering public opinion research to public, private, and social sector clients.

CommonWealth Beacon CommonWealth publishes in-depth, balanced, and independent journalism. It covers politics, policy, ideas, and civic life, with an emphasis on investigative reporting, in-depth analysis, and political mapping.

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Research — Policy Center

Case Study: Teach Western Mass

Vital lessons for systems change initiatives seeking to solve education equity challenges.

Key Takeaways

Teach Western Mass (TWM) built culturally responsive training and recruitment programs that expanded access to teaching and increased educator diversity in Holyoke and Springfield.
In partnership with school districts, colleges and universities, and the state education agency, Teach Western Mass helped elevate educator workforce and diversity as a shared regional priority.
TWM’s early ambitions to change systems to expand the regional educator pipeline delivered impact, but limited capacity ultimately required the organization to focus on its teacher residency training program.
This case study underscores the challenges that small nonprofits face mounting long-term system-change efforts.

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Research — Policy Center

Harnessing the Full Potential of Regional Rail with Variable Pricing and Equitable Fare Policies

This analysis outlines a practical path to increasing ridership and expanding access on the commuter rail through variable pricing and more equitable fare structures. The report shows how Massachusetts can make measurable progress toward Regional Rail by leveraging existing system capacity to strengthen economic mobility across the Commonwealth.