FYI from BSF, 04.02.21

Some things we read through recently…

More, or Less

One of the losses of the early days of the pandemic was graduation ceremonies.  In 2020, high school commencements with their pomp and circumstance were delayed or scuttled altogether.

But that doesn’t mean students didn’t graduate last spring.  In fact, Boston Public Schools posted their highest graduation rate, earning local and even national media attention.

But what are the numbers behind the press releases?

(1) It is reasonable for any school district to asterisk any measure from 2019-2020; with remote school and competency determinants waived last year and until next year, graduation rates need a footnote.

(2) There is always a story behind averages.

Let's start with graduation rates for all Boston public schools (that would be BPS and charters) and BPS.

But as we peel through different layers of graduation rates, you see gaps.

Exam schools really matter. The size of the three exam schools and their high graduation rates pull the entire average up.

There are differences in graduation rates by school type.

And, lastly, there is a huge range in graduation rates by subgroups.

(3) A rate increase is not the same as more. 

Yes, graduation rates jumped by over 2% from last year.  But the number of actual high school graduates declined.

What drove this?  The decline in Boston’s open enrollment high schools.  Those schools graduated 214 less students than in 2019, accounting for over 80% of the overall decrease.

We have written extensively about enrollment decline in Boston, even before COVID-19.  This decrease is yet another signal of that. 

We should care about both the rate and the number.  If Xander Boagerts has a good afternoon today and goes 2 for 5, would anyone argue that is the same as Ted Williams hitting .406 over 143 games in 1941? 

Of course, we are not talking about a game; we are talking about children’s lives.  Their high school diplomas and the quality of those diplomas have a significant impact on their future and their livelihoods.

As Boston high school students get to walk across stages again, let’s all hope that line of students is more diverse and longer.

Reopening in Boston, MA, and Beyond

Run don’t walk to read this profile of immigrant students in Boston and the challenges and costs of remote learning.  Summary video, too.

With two School Committee meetings and City Council hearings starting this month, what will be the answer to the $461M question?  Other cities and towns in Massachusetts have to answer that question, too.

The national reopening schools’ conversation came to Boston this week, with Secretary Cardona visiting the Tynan in South Boston.  At the event, Superintendent Cassellius suggested vaccinating children more quickly to reopen high schools.  Unclear what the timeline would be or if even families would want that, but Pfizer did report on Wednesday that its vaccine may be highly effective for 12-16-year-olds.

This coming Monday, the vast majority (+80%) of Massachusetts elementary schools will be reopening for five days per week.  But the coming weeks will be watched closely.  Cases are rising across the state, including school-based reporting.  There is still a share of districts or charter schools delaying or proposing delays.  There is no data on the progress of teacher vaccinations or consensus on that issue.  Teacher unions and allied groups to raise concerns about reopening.  Pooled testing appears to be a promising tool, but outbreaks like the one in Tyngsborough may be unavoidable.  Community learning centers and after-school providers, which have been a lifeline for many families for the past year, are struggling to adjust to swings in enrollment.

This week’s episode in trillions from the Biden Administration could have a profound impact on school building upgrades and construction.

Education 2021

Reopening Boston schools is quickly becoming a central issue in the mayor’s race. Whoever does win in November is inheriting unfinished work for increased preK access.

Other Matters

Graduation rates were not the only recent data update from the state. Teacher data, including salaries, are up. Boston is #3 in the Commonwealth, with the average teacher earning $104,525.

Low teacher diversity also means that Black educators carry additional burdens in schools.

Hear directly about reopening from teachers through this video at Boston Prep.

With the federal trial approaching and invitations delayed, expect increasing coverage and opinions on exam schools.

Successful university and PK-12 partnerships are not the norms in Boston, but two of our partner schools, St. Columbkille and Edward M. Kennedy Health Careers Academy, are among those bucking that trend