FYI from BSF, 06.11.21

Our Brand is Crisis

“What’s going on in schools in Boston?”

It’s a casual question we field often. Many readers, as fellow educators, probably get this, too. Sometimes you have something specific to share, sometimes you give more of a stock answer.

What would be the factual response this week?

Students are sharing more information regarding a cult-like organization that was paid for and supervised by the district; there are calls for the district attorney to investigate. There were reports of schools securing water in gallon drums during an intense heat wave, as a workaround to non-working or leaden pipes. School Committee meetings were cancelled. And, as was widely reported and debated, two School Committee members resigned after their text messages during an October meeting were made public. There is a possibility of public records violations.

So, with all that, perhaps the better question is: what is not going on in schools in Boston?”

The star-crossed exam school policy. The task force’s meeting and a presentation were cancelled this week.

Attendance. So far in June, the staff absentee rate at BPS is 36%. 1 out of 5 of remote students were not logging in last month. And what of the over 1,000 BPS students who are missing?

The teacher’s contract. It’s up in August, and quite literally a (several) billion dollar decision.

Summer sign-ups. New data highlights the need and popularity of high-quality summer programming for children, but as many as 15,000 Boston children still lack access, despite demand.

Federal investment. The last two meetings concerning Boston’s $450M+ in federal relief presented some contradictory messages and information. At a meeting last week with over 200 families, the district reported that plans and allocations for funding in Boston had been delayed due to a lack of state guidelines. Those guidelines have been public since February, and the funds have been available since March 31st. None of the $123M available to Boston was requested.

But by last night’s commission meeting, something had changed. After some powerful testimony by family representatives, the district committed to allocating 50% of the funding to schools.

When will this money come? Last week, district leadership shared that schools should not expect resources until November.

But by last night’s commission meeting, something had changed. Cash “from the city” would now be available ahead of the application deadline in July, meaning schools could factor new funding into immediate planning. More details to come in two weeks.

Boston School Committee approved the initial BPS budget on March 24th. 79 days have passed, with no new information or requirements for the initial federal dollars.

School ends next Friday, after which it will be difficult, if not impossible, for school leaders to complete school-based planning with faculty and families. The next deadline to apply and draw federal funds is next month. This month, the district must make a determination on exam school admissions and consider a contract extension for the Superintendent (see Section I).

This stress, unfortunately, is commonplace.

In Boston schools, our brand is crisis.

Reopening in Boston, MA and Beyond

The heat in school buildings earlier this week (resulting in new state guidance, early dismissals, and pictures of thermometers in Boston) got more attention than COVID-19.  School-based reported cases dropped again this week by a rate of 50%.

Across the state, nearly 12,000 pooled tests were conducted across almost 200 Massachusetts school districts; finally, this critical tool is coming to child care centers.

A good primer on the trend of American schools back to in-person learning, which, RiShawn Biddle points out, is not consistent across racial lines. 

Beyond the massive infusion of COVID-19 relief funds, what is the federal plan to smooth funding disparities between districts? 

Other Matters

There is much hand-wringing about the role or appropriateness of innovation in post-pandemic schooling. But there is at least one new idea that should stick around: high school graduations at Fenway.