FYI from BSF, 7.12.24
Summer Reading
Inflation and the end of federal pandemic relief have resulted in a surge of potential tax overrides across Massachusetts cities and towns. Higher costs and slowing revenue left school districts with two options: cut the budget or find more money. To do the latter, voters must approve any tax increase greater than 2.5% (a part of “Proposition 2 ½” ).
Why isn’t this a debate in Boston? Right now, Boston has the money and Boston Public Schools has not seen a true cut in city funding since 2010. For future years, Boston voters won’t decide whether or not taxes can increase by more than 2.5%; the Massachusetts legislature will decide whether or not Boston can make businesses pay a greater share of the taxes.
How are states addressing chronic absenteeism?
From a Boston Children’s Hospital pediatrician, the first extensive rebuttal to curbing children’s screen time and social media use, made popular by the recent release of The Anxious Generation.
Boston averted state receivership. Houston, TX did not - what have been the results?
Only ~1 out of 6 Massachusetts families who qualify are receiving federal subsidies for early child care.
It is common knowledge that the public school population in America has declined by ~1M students since 2020. The future student pipeline in cities, children younger than 5, will not solve that problem.
How does Boston fare? The city has seen a decline of nearly 12% since the 2020 US Census.
At a later date, this affects the other bookend of our education system. UMass is raising enrollment concerns.
BC opens a new type of early college.
Actual “Early College” is probably the Commonwealth’s fastest growing educational policy vehicle. The most recent data release from the Data Hub nicely summarizes its increasing scale and impact.
