FYI from BSF, 2.7.20
Some things we have read through recently…
Multiple Choices
The debate over exam school admissions opened a new chapter this week - the testmaker (ERB) accused the district of not properly using ISEE scores, and that the district disregarded its advice and its offer to research the test’s validity. This could have affected who was admitted, particularly underrepresented groups.
As reported, BPS did not deny any of those claims, but did assert that it was their decision to stop administering the ISEE.
Initially reported by the Globe.
Understanding Boston schools requires one to hold two facts true, which appear to contradict each other.
Exam schools are big so they demand attention - they have a significant impact on school choice patterns, enrollment, even the entire district’s performance.
Exam schools only serve a little more than 10% of the children of the district, yet receive disproportionate attention. Anecdotal, but if any other of Boston’s 220+ schools changed their logo, would it make the paper?
Opportunity and access to exam schools, with their high demand, requires action. But so do the approximately 70,000 other school-aged children in Boston.
We should be able to do both.
Notes in the Margin
Boston School Committee met Wednesday. Big meeting - the annual preliminary budget presentation, so there is a lot of documentation. [You can also catch summaries that the Shah Foundation recently began podcasting.] Lots of press coverage here, here, here, and even on the TV.
More analysis to come, but the big takeaways from the actual budget projections:
$78.5M more dollars - with almost half for central ($39.9M) and half for schools ($39.3M)
311 new BPS employees
824 less students
The state’s Metropolitan Area Planning Council released a report piling on more data re: housing pressure in Boston and Greater Boston. Multi-bedroom housing is in decline (read: triple deckers now belong to investors and young renters). Less multi-bedroom housing means more expensive family housing. Which means less families. Well, you know the rest…
The Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership (MEEP) published the first public (we’ve seen) guidance on Student Opportunity Act implementation.
As budget season commences, here is a reminder that federal law now requires a lot more transparency around education spending down to the school and student level. Presenting that well is a lot harder that it would seem (from NY Times).
As Black History month begins, a reminder of the importance of a diverse principal and teacher workforce.
School Matters
Boston Arts Academy’s annual performance was phenomenal, and will be on local tv if you want to catch it.
Muniz Academy did an arts-related service project at the Blackstone in the South End.
Posse Scholars are being announced, including many at our partner schools. Here is a feature from Cathedral.
Excel Academy’s inclusion work was featured in a national podcast.