FYI from BSF, 07.23.21
Education 2021
In case you missed it, we are a part of the newly formed All Children Thrive (ACT Boston) collective.
Whomever Boston elects as mayor in November, we must ensure that equitable educational outcomes are at the center of civic life. Systems and leaders should be supported to meet the needs of children, families, and educators - and held accountable when those needs are not met.
Op-ed in Commonwealth Magazine here.
Website here.
Summer School
Boston Public Schools will start the new school year with a full complement of School Committee members. Yesterday, Acting Mayor Janey appointed two new members: Lorena Lopera and Rafaela Polanco Garcia.
But, otherwise, the new school year seems a lot less certain than it did just 5 or so weeks ago, when hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts students were learning in-person, and community transmission and school-based cases were trending toward zero.
Experts are now asking aloud whether the Delta variant will compromise reopening.
And it does seem like a little bit of deja vu all over again from last summer. Baker is devolving school safety decisions to the local level. Boston is taking more aggressive measures. Advocates and families are mobilizing for or against mandates.
One difference from summer 2020 is the active role of the federal government. This week, President Biden hinted at the CDC updated its guidance for masking in schools (in line with what the Academy of American Pediatrics suggests).
More science and data and vaccinations certainly changed the game from last year - but to what extent? Vaccinations amongst 12-17-year-olds have flattened. The initial estimate for vaccines this fall for 2-12 year-olds has been pushed back. And although President Biden also hinted FDA approval of vaccines would come “quickly,” municipalities and higher ed continue to find themselves in a bind for policies. Boston University is the most recent example of those unwilling to wait.
What does this all potentially mean?
In-person learning has become political again and has the potential to become variable across communities again. Despite the essential considerations of public health, schools remain a local matter.
2. It is too early to estimate the real or perceived impact of the Delta variant. Will there be significant numbers of families that still feel unsafe returning to schools? Will breakthrough cases, incredibly rare as they are, affect what school days and safety measures look like for educators?
One thing is certain - cities, towns, and educators unfortunately no longer have a break from contingency planning.
Other Matters
Building questions continue to be raised at the district, both the lack of HVAC and promised renovations.
Some thoughts on why HBCUs earn lower rankings in US News and World Report.