What happens if you skimp on $ for inclusion? Read on.
https://schoolyardnews.com/how-well-is-inclusion-working-in-boston-fd1dbddb4bd1
Quality of Education
Early data shows low scores on new MCAS tests
Early results from new MCAS test aren’t so great. Must mean our schools stink and our teachers aren’t doing their jobs.
http://baystatebanner.com/news/2017/oct/05/early-data-shows-low-scores-new-mcas-tests/?page=1
Girls of color in Boston schools face academic disparities
“The school-to-prison pipeline is growing for girls. Research shows that girls of color are disproportionately impacted by school discipline policies, which can too often result in long term negative life outcomes,” said City Councilor Ayanna Pressley.
Lawmaker wants new measure of school success
“It is very, very bad for students, teachers, schools and communities to have schools labeled based on a measure that really measures income and not school quality,” state Sen. Patricia Jehlen.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_politics/2017/09/lawmaker_wants_new_measure_of_school_success
26 Boston schools at risk of being declared ‘underperforming’
Let’s look at these schools holistically, not just measuring their worth by test scores. Let’s help them succeed, not punish them for any needs they might have.
Mass. school evaluations called ‘unfair’
Fordham Institute states the obvious: DESE measures disadvantage schools with many high-needs students. “Achievement measures are strongly correlated with prior achievement — and given that low-income students tend to enter school far behind their peers, high-poverty schools are likely to fare poorly under such measures, no matter how good the school and its teachers are.”
http://baystatebanner.com/news/2017/aug/09/mass-school-evaluations-called-unfair/?page=1
2017-18 School Bell Times
Here’s a list of schools served by BPS transportation, including BPS, charter and parochial schools. Are the “50 or more bus routes to be cut” equitable across the BPS, charter, and parochial sectors? And which neighborhoods, racial groups and ELL/Special Ed populations will be most affected? Hard to say, as much of this is being planned behind closed doors.
Senate approves bilingual education measure
“Far from a done deal,” but we’re getting closer to dismantling English only/”one size fits all” in MA.
In a bid to save $5m, city schools will slice bus routes
Looks what fall will bring: potentially 40 to 50 fewer school buses. 2011 redo?
Boston schools choose new food vendor
Hoping for the best here re. BPS food. Thanks to the Citywide Parents Council, educators and others for pushing hard for healthy food for our kids.