FYI from BSF, 6.26.20
Some things we have read through recently...
Summer School (Planning)
We often like to think of Massachusetts as exceptional; fair or not, it is pretty true right now.
Contrary to the direction of the majority of the country, Massachusetts is taking its first steps to reopen schools (date to be determined) with the release of state guidelines and lots of money yesterday. Lots of takes followed quickly thereafter.
“Guidelines” is the operative word. Anyone waiting for a LEGO set-like instructions will be disappointed. There are too many variables to do so: most prominently, public health developments and the varying physical layout of approximately 2,000 school buildings.
In a way, we are back where we started when schools were closed and remote learning began. In Massachusetts, we accept that schools are a local matter. This does not just apply to individual school districts, but rather that individual school buildings and communities will need to develop plans to welcome students back.
We can assume one of three scenarios in September - (1) full reopening, (2) “hybrid” (students attend in-person on a staggered schedule with remote learning supplements), (3) full remote.
Would we tolerate some communities having full days of school, five days a week, while others are at half-time? Or completely still remote? Would we tolerate some kids getting the full benefit of schooling for several months to year, while some don’t?
Without thought and investment, we are heading rapidly to the next stage of an equity crisis.
This should have been top of mind. Before COVID-19, Massachusetts was ranked the 6th worst state in the country for education and racial equity.
Here are some questions and suggestions about what we should consider...
Risk
As implied in state guidelines, reopening schools is all about tolerance of uncertainty. With nearly 8,000 deaths in Massachusetts since March, we know how infectious and lethal COVID-19 can be. But it is unclear how that applies to schools: a Lancet study indicates school closures have no impact on transmission, which is unsurprising when you look at mortality rates by age. And there are harmful academic and mental health impacts from not being in school. But who is willing to bear the risk of even one child or educator getting sick and dying as the result of in-school transmission?
School-Level Capacity
There is a significant amount of work for schools - not systems - to do. Floorplan work, family communication, revised drop-off procedures, new food procedures... just to start. Schools need capacity to work and plan now, while their staffing capacity declines for summer months. We started by creating a fund to support our 37 partner schools this summer. What will Boston do to support its school communities to do this work?
Teachers
The guidelines do not directly address conditions offered by the Massachusetts Teachers Association last week, though Massachusetts teachers unions and educator associations were represented on the return-to-school working group. How will teachers be involved in shaping school plans? How will their medical needs be understood or addressed?
Families
The majority of Massachusetts families have not been engaged by their school or school district on reopening. Multiple polls (here, here) show a significant divide in families’ comfort level in returning to school. Just this week, a brand new, parent-led group popped up to demand a full reopening. We will hear from Boston parents tomorrow at March Like a Mother for Black Lives.
Look just one layer below and you see deep racial, class, and geographic divisions.
What is driving this split and division? Without engagement and family voice, we don’t know, and we could be heading towards a worst-case scenario: significant time, money, risk dedicated to open schools - only for families to still not send children back.
Transportation
Bus guidelines haven’t been released. It’s Boston, after all, so we can expect buses to be an issue.
Money
While we need to do a lot of work in a short period of time, resourcing this is unclear. Despite opposition, Boston passed its FY21 budget Wednesday, which included both an $80M increase in the BPS budget while the city decreased its revenue forecast by $65M since just April. Even the Superintendent is personally chipping in. Lots of questions around state funding. Pressure is being applied for the Commonwealth to maintain its planned Student Opportunity Act funding for next year. Many communities have braced for revenue shortfalls through layoffs. Additional federal dollars for schools have passed the House, and now sits in the Senate.
Notes in the Margin
Boston School Committee met Wednesday. Agenda and materials here, video here - large grant approvals (including the $32M in federal COVID-19 funds), bus contract extension, UP Academy renewal.
There continues to be extensive coverage of race in schools:
Schools have glass ceilings, too: it’s harder for women (particularly Black women) to become principals.
When schools resume across the country, nearly every kid will be in the next grade: a perspective on why.
Tough times at the beginning and end of our educational pipeline: the early ed sector is wavering and a grim forecast for MA public colleges and universities (from Board of Higher Ed meeting).
Continued debate on police in schools: Commissioner Gross proposes new “training.” What does the research say?
Closing on up note: a nice profile of a Boston valedictorian.
Longtime readers know our volume and analysis usually quiets down in the summer months, but we will continue to track, compile, and share education news weekly...