FOR RELEASE
September 23, 2026
WORCESTER, MA — Worcester Education Collaborative (WEC) will host its inaugural State of Education on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Worcester Technical High School, 1 Officer Manny Familia Way, Worcester.
Centered on the theme “Walking in the Shoes of Our Students,” the event will bring together local and educational leaders, community partners, families, and advocates for a conversation about the current state of education in Worcester and across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to determine the work needed to improve outcomes for all students.
The inaugural State of Education reflects WEC’s commitment to ensuring that conversations about educational policy, practice, and improvement remain grounded in the experiences of all students served by Worcester Public Schools.
“We created this event to provide a space for all community members who touch the lives of students to become more familiar with what is happening in education, locally and statewide,” said Dr. Jennifer Etesse Herring, Executive Director of Worcester Education Collaborative. “Our State of Education is about uplifting the stories, the evidence, and the Worcester student school experiences into the same room. We have to listen to students’ experiences and respond collectively.”
Highlighted Speakers include:
Brian Allen, Superintendent, Worcester Public Schools
Viviana M. Abreu-Hernandez, President, Mass Budget & Policy
Dr. Chad D’Entremont, Executive Director, Rennie Center
Paul Matthews, Worcester Regional Research Bureau
Over the past year, WEC has expanded its role as a convener and education advocate locally and statewide. WEC’s work has included advocacy for evidence-based literacy policy, including testimony at the Massachusetts State House in partnership with the MassReads Coalition, strategic partnerships and increased attention to trauma-informed and healing-centered educational practices in schools and the community.
The State of Education event also represents an important milestone in WEC’s evolving role as an advocate and voice for educational improvement in Worcester Public Schools. Through research, advocacy, community engagement, and trauma-informed practice, WEC seeks to connect local experiences with broader policy conversations while ensuring Worcester students and families remain at the center.
The WEC State of Education will take place Wednesday, September 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Worcester Technical High School, 1 Officer Manny Familia Way, Worcester, MA. Lunch will be provided.
Worcester Education Collaborative Mission
WEC’s mission is to improve outcomes for all Worcester Public Schools (WPS) students by cultivating an equitable educational ecosystem where every learner has the resources and support necessary to thrive. WEC uses a "Collective Impact" model to interrupt barriers for students. By serving as the strategic bridge between the school district and the broader community, WEC drives systemic change that delivers measurable growth for students, families, and the city’s economic future.
