FYI from BSF, 07.08.22

Summer Reading

On Wednesday, the city announced another $20M for early childhood care expansion. Boston relies on a “mixed delivery model” to serve 3 year olds and 4 year olds (good thread here on the topic); the funding of approximately 1,000 seats will largely impact community centers and family day care, forestalling a significant contraction caused by the pandemic. Providers have to apply, coordinated through the city’s new office on early education.

The research is clear on the impact of quality early education, particularly in Boston. Ensuring quality seats, through various providers, in the right/high-demand areas of the city is the ongoing coordination challenge. The data showed this, even before the pandemic.

Federal data confirmed what educators have observed in the past two years: attendance is down and chronic absenteeism (missing a day of school every two weeks or more) is up.

State data also just released show these trends appear in Boston.

And, there are clear differences among subgroups, with chronic absenteeism driving the gaps.

The same federal data also shows a rise in student violence and disruption in schools last year. In Boston, there are questions about how this should be addressed or not addressed by the police.

The federal government is doubling down on tutors to support academic recovery.

You can catch up on Superintendent Skipper transition news here, here, and here.