FYI from BSF, 4.3.20

Some things we have read through recently...

Local Matters

If the current statewide plan holds, each Massachusetts PK-12 child will lose 28 days of school.  That is the equivalent of getting a day off every six days for an entire school-year.

Timing is important, too.  Any child development expert or veteran teacher will share that the content, skills, and experiences children have in the later part of any school-year are critical for success the following school-year.  Curriculum builds.

A lot of kids learn to read in the spring.  A lot of kids learn fractions in the spring.  A lot of kids take field trips in the spring. A lot of kids put on shows or exhibitions in the spring.  

For hundreds of thousands of children in Massachusetts, there are still no clear agreements and common expectations for learning right now - just guidelines open for interpretation and different implementation. Therefore, a local matter.

This has resulted in a shocking variation in experience for children and families across municipalities and school types.  Some kids have multiple hours of school work per day, daily contact with teachers, and receive feedback with graded work. Some kids have access to education resources made broadly, publicly available.  Some kids have nothing at all.

It is curious that we tolerate that level of variation in education (and essential government services).  

That certainly was not the case when deciding to close schools - cities and towns were clamoring for state guidance and directives.  That was an emergency.  

Children, families, teachers, and school staff will be owed a lot to make up for time and experiences lost.

WillI that just be a “local matter,” too?

Notes in the Margin

We are now up to 9 states with school closed for the remainder of the year.

In what is a likely grim harbinger, a BPS cafeteria has been converted to manage hospital overflow.

Several advocates and City Councilors testified on Tuesday to oppose next steps on the state and the city’s agreed plan for district improvements.  Among other things, that agreement requires BPS to improve academics, high school rigor, services for special education, and buses.  After public comment, it was shared there was already a timetable in place. The Commissioner was granted emergency powers at the same meeting.

School Matters

Nothing could replace actual school days, but some schools are really trying.  A few samples:

PJ Kennedy started up the day school closed:

Boston Collegiate sent out carefully detailed plans and personal messages from principals.

Margarita Muniz Academy created, essentially, a virtual school.