State Representative Jarrett Barrios wants all Massachusetts children to grow up knowing that they will have affordable college opportunities open to them after high school and throughout life.

Rep. Barrios made higher education a key priority in his campaign for the State Senate this week, and said that he would build on his experience in the State House, where he fought against steep budget cuts to save funding for poorer school districts under education reform and helped to restore funding for adult education and special education.

“It is tragic to know that there are children who have the talent and the determination to do well in college or university, but are denied the chance to fulfill their potential because it costs too much. We simply can’t afford not to allow our colleges to be out of reach,” said Rep. Barrios.

“Public education is the great equalizer,” said Rep. Barrios. “In my two terms as a state representative, I have consistently fought for Massachusetts schools. In the Senate I will to continue to fight for education reform that gives all children access to a strong public education. I want to increase funding for our community colleges and four-year universities, in addition to protecting the gains that have already been made through education reform.”

The Massachusetts Teachers Association endorsed Rep. Barrios in his race for the State Senate, calling him the candidate who has ‘proven experience fighting to give every child the best education’.

“The Massachusetts Teachers Association has endorsed Rep. Barrios because of his strong record fighting to give every child the best education,” said Richard Liston, who has been a teacher in Everett for thirty-four years and is the President of the Everett Teachers Association. “He is a proven leader when it comes to fighting for funding for public education. We need that sort of commitment in the Senate if we are to give children access to more affordable college opportunities.”

Backed by the Massachusetts Federation of Teachers and the Boston Teachers’ Union as well as the MTA, Rep. Barrios met with children and parents at the TriCap Free Lunch Program this week, where he discussed his higher education priorities with parents.

“Jarrett Barrios is a product of public schools who worked hard to pay his way through college,” said Gladys Maged, a parent of two children in the Somerville public school system. “He knows that access to college and university can open up so many new opportunities for children in later life. I certainly want my children - and all children - to have the chance to make the most of their talents, and I know Jarrett is committed to that same goal.”

Rep. Barrios was the first student from his high school to go to Harvard. He attended Harvard on a scholarship, and worked three jobs to pay his way through college.

The Massachusetts economy depends heavily on a well-educated workforce, and statistics show that 80% of students from public higher education institutions remain in the state after they graduate.