FYI from BSF, 8.9.24

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Summer Reading

Although the piece focuses on exam school data, the topic serves as a bellwether for the major enrollment issues facing Boston.

That said, the last two years indicate a leveling.  State data released late last week show slight increases in enrollment in Boston Public Schools and non-BPS options - the first time in a decade.

One potential explanation?  The recent increase in migrant students, for which districts are awaiting additional students and resources. 

With school less than a month away and early voting starting soon thereafter, Question 2, the ballot initiative to eliminate the MCAS high school graduation requirment, is picking up steam.  Proponents, led by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, officially launched their campaign this week.  Fair to say it is a rare occurrence for the Dorchester Reporter and the Wall Street Journal to editorialize on the same topic.  And Mayor Wu did not take a position during an interview on WGBH (8/6/24, start at minute 30).

Are grades more subjective than tests?

Why is math achievement dropping around the world?  It wasn’t the pandemic.

It has been a long time since there was a bipartisan initiative of governors focused on education (or much else for that matter).

The divides in classrooms roll right into summer.

Speaking of summer, it's time for a semiannual newsletter break.  FYI returns to your inbox at 7:00 AM on August 30th, just in time for the start of school.