Massachusetts officials mark 20th anniversary of early education agency, cite research and preschool partnerships
July 18, 2025 | Department of Early Education and Care, Executive , Massachusetts
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Amy Kershaw, commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, said the department is celebrating “the twentieth anniversary of the creation of this department” and described the milestone during remarks this month with Massachusetts Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler.
Kershaw and Tutwiler framed the anniversary as a moment to underscore research showing the importance of early learning. “I'm a big believer in the research,” Tutwiler said. “And the research tells us how important those early education experiences are.”
The officials emphasized benefits beyond academic outcomes. Tutwiler said early education also supports families and helps shape K‑12 outcomes, calling the available evidence “incredibly rich and deep in support of that sector.” She pointed to expanding awareness among legislators and community leaders: “Legislators, people in the community are starting to understand the importance of this experience, the importance of early education, and it's happening.”
As an example of current programming, Tutwiler referenced the department’s pre‑K work and the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative. “We see it with our, our pre k programming, the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative,” she said. Kershaw and Tutwiler did not announce any new legislation, budget changes, or formal agency actions during the exchange.
Discussion vs. decision: the remarks were celebratory and descriptive. Officials described ongoing efforts and momentum but did not present or vote on policy changes, nor did they direct staff to take specific next steps in the recorded remarks.
No formal motions, votes, or implementation timelines were recorded during the remarks.
Kershaw closed the exchange by celebrating the anniversary; Tutwiler called the period “a transformative time for early education and care,” and both offered congratulations to the department on two decades of operation.
Kershaw and Tutwiler framed the anniversary as a moment to underscore research showing the importance of early learning. “I'm a big believer in the research,” Tutwiler said. “And the research tells us how important those early education experiences are.”
The officials emphasized benefits beyond academic outcomes. Tutwiler said early education also supports families and helps shape K‑12 outcomes, calling the available evidence “incredibly rich and deep in support of that sector.” She pointed to expanding awareness among legislators and community leaders: “Legislators, people in the community are starting to understand the importance of this experience, the importance of early education, and it's happening.”
As an example of current programming, Tutwiler referenced the department’s pre‑K work and the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative. “We see it with our, our pre k programming, the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative,” she said. Kershaw and Tutwiler did not announce any new legislation, budget changes, or formal agency actions during the exchange.
Discussion vs. decision: the remarks were celebratory and descriptive. Officials described ongoing efforts and momentum but did not present or vote on policy changes, nor did they direct staff to take specific next steps in the recorded remarks.
No formal motions, votes, or implementation timelines were recorded during the remarks.
Kershaw closed the exchange by celebrating the anniversary; Tutwiler called the period “a transformative time for early education and care,” and both offered congratulations to the department on two decades of operation.
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