FYI from BSF, 05.07.21
Some things we have read through recently..
Present
The state unexpectedly released attendance data this week. Seems almost too obvious to state, but attendance is a big driver of student outcomes.
Here are the numbers for Boston. For comparison purposes, we looked at 2018-2019 rather than last year given the obvious disruption of the pandemic and the move to remote learning. Full data set here.
A clear story emerges.
1. Attendance is down across Massachusetts, and down by a bit more in Boston. As an aside, BPS staff attendance (at 83%) is actually lower than students’ attendance.
2. The percent of students chronically absent (missing 10% or more of school) is way up across Massachusetts; it is up a little bit in Boston.
3. In Boston, the decline in attendance is more pronounced among historically marginalized subgroups.
4. That data strongly tracks against increases in chronic absenteeism by subgroup - the groups above and below the Boston rate are identical.
5. High school data is particularly concerning - attendance is much lower, nearly half of high school students elected to stay remote, and nearly half are chronically absent.
With promotions and graduations on the horizon, this data begs a really simple question: who moves on to the next grade or, more consequentially, on to college or career? With no MCAS, no other formative assessment being administered city-wide, and this much school being missed, how can children and families be assured that they are ready for next year?
There is time to focus resources on students, and close the obvious equity gaps shown above. High schools, with so many signs of low engagement, should be a top priority. It should not be lost on any of us that a 14-year old Fall River boy, who was chronically absent from school, died this fall.
This early data is a unique opportunity for school districts and leaders; having this data now, rather than when the school-year is over, means you make immediate adjustments and interventions and make a data-backed plan for next fall.
The field of education has built significant capacity to collect and share data.
But it only matters if you use it.
Reopening in Boston, MA, and Beyond
A commission has been formed to oversee Boston’s plan to spend $400M+ federal dollars on schools. We and others have continued to raise concerns.
Facing repeated reports of declining enrollment, the city announced at a community meeting on Wednesday that the Jackson Mann in Brighton will close after next year. This announcement comes two years after both the Jackson Mann and the Horace Mann schools were told that the building would not remain open without major repairs.
BPS families may have the option to remain remote next year - a survey went out to gauge interest in a potential virtual school.
The state announced a $70M investment in summer programs to address interrupted learning. Massachusetts also got a shout out from President Biden’s Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, on its push to reopen school buildings.
The state reported declining school-reported COVID cases again this week. Note that these numbers are absolute, not percentages - there are many more children and educators in buildings now.
What do children and families want when they return to school? A fascinating read on the school data that families want, and don’t necessarily get. Polling indicates that families are excited about the incoming funding for education, and they want the money spent well, with students and boldness/innovation at the center.
Universal preK could be a big part of this, but could play out differently in Massachusetts, particularly given quality and equity needs.
The pandemic has brought even greater attention to the needs of students experiencing homelessness.
Talk of vaccine availability for children as young as 2 has sparked discussion of what next September could look like. What does this mean for high schools? Will student vaccinations be mandated, like flu shots were this year?
It is too early to call it a trend, but quite a few large district superintendents are resigning. One, Janice Jackson of Chicago, specifically named the politics and negotiation of school reopening as the reason.
Other Matters
Good fences make good neighbors? In Massachusetts and across the country, racist and classist lines of geography have lingering effects for school quality.
Teacher of the year announcements will be coming soon - history shows that winners don’t typically reflect the diversity of American school districts, or the profession itself.
No one could thank educators enough for what they have done for the past year. So it is fitting and great news that, with Principal’s Appreciation last week and Teachers’ Appreciation this week, Julia Bott of the Mendell was named both Massachusetts and national principal of the year.
We have been lucky to work with and learn from Julie and everyone at the Mendell since 2019. There are many reasons why this award is so well-deserved, including an exemplar shift to remote learning last spring.
Congratulations!
