Helpful update on the changes to the state accountability measure, by Tracy O’Connell Novick.
https://who-cester.blogspot.com/2017/12/turn-and-face-strange-state.html
Month: December 2017
Boston School Committee chairman to step down
News from the Bolling Building: Michael O’Neill steps down as Chair of the School Committee.
BPS may be served lawsuit over lack of minority input
“[Lawyers’ Committee Executive Director] Espinoza-Madrigal said that if BPS leadership doesn’t start addressing issues facing minorities, immigrants and community members who want more input, there could be ‘legal liability for Boston Public Schools and the city of Boston.'”
Opinion: Don’t blame the algorithm for doing what Boston school officials asked
The BPS has pulled back on start time changes, which was announced today. But let’s keep asking the hard questions, like which city departments get funded and which get cuts? Was the city sacrificing families’ needs to save public dollars? Why have algorithms been blamed for political decisions?
BPS start time process showed little respect for parents, students
“Had there been fair and transparent process that had representation from all parents, including parents who need translation services, BPS may have received that feedback and avoided this computer-driven nightmare.”
http://baystatebanner.com/news/2017/dec/21/bps-start-time-process-showed-little-respect-paren/
BPS Parent: The algorithm method is a problem
You can’t get to a good place in a bad way…Many parents testified about feeling blind-sided; others spoke of having their trust in the system breached. This would not have happened if BPS has utilized a planning process that respectfully engaged parents instead of relying so heavily on a computer algorithm. We can get to good place, but we have to get there in a good way.”
https://www.dotnews.com/columns/2017/algorithm-method-problem-when-it-comes-parents-children-and
Civil rights groups: early start times won’t produce equity
“Superintendent Tommy Chang invoked the concept of racial equity to justify the move. But civil rights activists are not having it.”
http://baystatebanner.com/news/2017/dec/18/civil-rights-groups-early-start-times-wont-produce/
Civil rights groups hit school start plan
Statement by the Boston NAACP, EBECC and the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice on start times.
“The decision made by the administration and School Committee is not racially equitable, and is likely to bring significant harm to children and families of color across the City of Boston. Equity demands that this decision be reconsidered.”
Parents say ”No!” to new start times at marathon School Committee meeting
Report on December 14 event at School Committee in the School Yard News.
School committee members call for board to ‘revisit’ bell times
“Hundreds of angry parents packed the meeting last night, blasting the city for forcing elementary school kids to start class earlier next year — with some saying it may force them to move out.
“Parents are already stating, ‘I’m going to have to leave,’ ” said Erin Birmingham, a Manning School parent. “Your algorithm does not value our kids. Your algorithm doesn’t work. I am hereby refusing your initial offer. … Fix it!”