FYI from BSF, 05.27.22
Deal or No Deal (But, Really, It's a Deal)
To recap:
Last Friday afternoon, the Mayor, the Commissioner, and the Governor met, and the state proposed some alternative to receivership.
On Monday, the state audit was released, highlighting some areas of improvement, but a greater number of concerns.
On Tuesday, the overwhelming majority of public comment testified against receivership at the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting.
During the meeting, the Commissioner, Secretary, and the majority of Board members expressed the intent to seek a partnership.
On Wednesday evening, during Boston School Committee meeting, the Superintendent reported that the city had responded to the state’s proposal and negotiations are starting.
Last night, details of the city’s proposal became public after Governor Baker stressed the importance of a strong plan in a radio interview.
A deal in the works? That would certainly solve a host of political issues for a first-year mayor and a final-year governor. But can it also solve issues for children, families, and educators?
There are six areas of focus for a potential state and city partnership that have been shared publicly. There will be talks of targets, programs, funding, and technical assistance. As more comes to light, we will be asking 6 or so questions about what is proposed:
Student Safety - Are the systems in place to monitor and support student and family safety?
Transportation - Can children get to and from school reliably, without compromising instructional time or safety?
Special Education - Will the partnership ensure that special education services are delivered effectively? Will the partnership result in less segregation of students?
English Learners - Will the partnership ensure that English learner services are delivered effectively?
Data Transparency - Does the district, the state, and public have access to accurate information, driving assessment, planning, and resources?
Facilities - Is there a plan for modernizing Boston’s school buildings, and a plan to pay for it?
What you don’t see above is academics or student outcomes, although there is a short reference in the city’s proposal for Boston’s transformation schools (the 31 schools designated as underperforming by the state). This will fall to the new superintendent. Without a new one selected in the next 34 days, an interim superintendent may become necessary.
There is an agreement and partnership potentially forming on what needs to happen in Boston Public Schools.
The details, time, and leadership will determine whether or not a partnership is successful.
Reopening Boston, MA, and Beyond
School reported COVID cases fell across Massachusetts and in Boston by 33% from last week, the first decline reported since March 10th.
Other Matters
Three years before Columbine, there was a mass shooting in a school in Scotland and a mass shooting in Port Arthur in Australia. In both countries, decisive action was taken to curb gun availability, while the reaction of the minority did result in some politicians being pressured, even losing elections and their jobs.
This compares school shootings in Scotland, mass shootings in Australia, and school shootings in America since 2000.
Gun laws and perhaps a handful people willing to change careers would mean American kids and educators would stop being killed in schools.
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