FYI from BSF, 08.27.21

Hi, I’m Kerry Donahue, the Chief Strategy Officer at Boston Schools Fund. I'm guest writing for our CEO Will Austin this week while he takes a well-deserved vacation. You can reach me at kdonahue@bostonschoolsfund.org.

Summer School

Last week’s mask debate is settled for now, with the state changing course and requiring masks for all school buildings until at least October 1st. Once schools reach 80% vaccination, the mandate will be lifted for those who are vaccinated. While the Pfizer vaccine received full FDA approval for people 16 and older, the likelihood of a vaccine mandate for students is low. 

With two weeks until Boston reopens its school buildings, updated health and safety protocols are starting to roll out. Last year, the Boston School Committee met throughout the summer to discuss reopening plans (remember “Hopscotch”?); the first School Committee meeting of the new school year will take place just nine days before the start of school. 

Given the challenges of reopening without a remote option and the Delta variant surging, more information will need to be communicated to families in the next week before the start of school. Two more (virtual) opportunities remain for BPS families to learn more before school starts.

Families' trust in the school system will be essential over the next year, as schools reopen with vaccines still not yet available for children under 12. Last November, a statewide poll showed parents across racial lines were not overly satisfied with the response of their schools and districts to the pandemic:

This begs the question: how are families feeling right now about the capacity of schools and districts to continue managing the pandemic and meet increased student needs?  How will those feelings impact enrollment, attendance, and overall academic engagement? Despite BPS conducting multiple family surveys last year, only a few data points were posted on its website, and results were not shared in a public forum.

Potentially further eroding public trust is the scramble for administrative licenses and a disturbing school misconduct investigation just weeks before the start of an incredibly high stakes school year with over $123 million in new federal ESSER II funds making their way into Boston’s schools.

Education 2021

At the end of last week the Globe opinion page contemplated whether Boston has an “education candidate” for mayor despite the City sorely needing one. It’s hard to imagine a field of candidates with more direct education experience than these five. 

However, despite much professional and lived experience in education among the candidates, no single candidate has made transforming Boston’s schools the centerpiece of their campaign. At one-third of the city’s budget and with more than half of its municipal employees, it seems unlikely that the next mayor could ignore the school system. But, how willing the next mayor will be to establish a citywide education vision — and how much political capital they might be willing to risk — remains to be seen. Either way, it seems we might be seeing them play it safe, especially while key endorsements are on the line.

Other Matters

Reports here and here out this week documenting pandemic innovations and contemplating how they can be sustained within schools and districts.

An interesting and timely read on middle schools given moves to eliminate them in BPS. 

A parent’s perspective on school reopening and the need for schools to focus first on healing.