@schoolyardnews.bsky.social
Those MBTA ads attacking the Boston Public Schools were a bum rap. Read why.
#bostonschools #bospoli
schoolyardnews.com/those-mbta-a...
#bostonschools #bospoli
schoolyardnews.com/those-mbta-a...
Those MBTA ads attacking BPS were a bum rap
By Alain Jehlen
Anyone who has read this blog knows I’m not a fan of the Boston Public Schools administration. But the recent MBTA…
schoolyardnews.com
October 7, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Those MBTA ads attacking the Boston Public Schools were a bum rap. Read why.
#bostonschools #bospoli
schoolyardnews.com/those-mbta-a...
#bostonschools #bospoli
schoolyardnews.com/those-mbta-a...
Gov. Healey's proposed new standardized “end of course” tests:
Educator Jen Rose-Wood asks, “If the state massively bungled their first attempt at designing a 'comprehensive assessment system,' why would the governor impose the same failed mechanism?"
schoolyardnews.com/wait-time-th...
Educator Jen Rose-Wood asks, “If the state massively bungled their first attempt at designing a 'comprehensive assessment system,' why would the governor impose the same failed mechanism?"
schoolyardnews.com/wait-time-th...
Wait Time: the wonderful education strategy the governor fails to use
“Did the political establishment learn nothing from the past two decades?”
schoolyardnews.com
September 22, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Gov. Healey's proposed new standardized “end of course” tests:
Educator Jen Rose-Wood asks, “If the state massively bungled their first attempt at designing a 'comprehensive assessment system,' why would the governor impose the same failed mechanism?"
schoolyardnews.com/wait-time-th...
Educator Jen Rose-Wood asks, “If the state massively bungled their first attempt at designing a 'comprehensive assessment system,' why would the governor impose the same failed mechanism?"
schoolyardnews.com/wait-time-th...
The percentage of BPS students with disabilities in “substantially separate” classes is almost unchanged over the past several years, notes long-time advocate John Mudd.
So who’s “included” in the BPS high-profile drive for “inclusion”?
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/inclusion-do...
So who’s “included” in the BPS high-profile drive for “inclusion”?
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/inclusion-do...
Inclusion Done Right and Inclusion Done Wrong!
By John Mudd
schoolyardnews.com
June 22, 2026 at 9:46 PM
The percentage of BPS students with disabilities in “substantially separate” classes is almost unchanged over the past several years, notes long-time advocate John Mudd.
So who’s “included” in the BPS high-profile drive for “inclusion”?
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/inclusion-do...
So who’s “included” in the BPS high-profile drive for “inclusion”?
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/inclusion-do...
Special Ed parents say inclusion drive is falling short despite great work by many frontline educators.
“Inclusion is not created by saying, ‘Magic! Now all schools are inclusive!‘”said one parent at a parent town hall.
schoolyardnews.com/parents-say-...
“Inclusion is not created by saying, ‘Magic! Now all schools are inclusive!‘”said one parent at a parent town hall.
schoolyardnews.com/parents-say-...
Parents say BPS “inclusion” drive falls short
“Inclusion is not created by saying, ‘Magic! Now all the schools are inclusive!’”
schoolyardnews.com
June 9, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Special Ed parents say inclusion drive is falling short despite great work by many frontline educators.
“Inclusion is not created by saying, ‘Magic! Now all schools are inclusive!‘”said one parent at a parent town hall.
schoolyardnews.com/parents-say-...
“Inclusion is not created by saying, ‘Magic! Now all schools are inclusive!‘”said one parent at a parent town hall.
schoolyardnews.com/parents-say-...
BPS does an average job of teaching students the skills that MCAS measures.
But state officials (and many others) make BPS out to be a lot worse than it is.
Here’s how that works:
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/is-bps-a-fai...
But state officials (and many others) make BPS out to be a lot worse than it is.
Here’s how that works:
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/is-bps-a-fai...
Is BPS a failing school district?
According to MCAS data, it’s at least average
schoolyardnews.com
June 1, 2026 at 8:17 PM
BPS does an average job of teaching students the skills that MCAS measures.
But state officials (and many others) make BPS out to be a lot worse than it is.
Here’s how that works:
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/is-bps-a-fai...
But state officials (and many others) make BPS out to be a lot worse than it is.
Here’s how that works:
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/is-bps-a-fai...
97 degrees at the Mather yesterday!
BPS sensors recorded sizzling temperatures at many schools, with 14 schools reaching 90 degrees or higher.
We uploaded the full table of temperatures.
#bostonschools #heatwave
schoolyardnews.com/97-degrees-a...
BPS sensors recorded sizzling temperatures at many schools, with 14 schools reaching 90 degrees or higher.
We uploaded the full table of temperatures.
#bostonschools #heatwave
schoolyardnews.com/97-degrees-a...
97 degrees at the Mather yesterday!
BPS sensors recorded sizzling temperatures at many schools
schoolyardnews.com
May 21, 2026 at 6:01 PM
97 degrees at the Mather yesterday!
BPS sensors recorded sizzling temperatures at many schools, with 14 schools reaching 90 degrees or higher.
We uploaded the full table of temperatures.
#bostonschools #heatwave
schoolyardnews.com/97-degrees-a...
BPS sensors recorded sizzling temperatures at many schools, with 14 schools reaching 90 degrees or higher.
We uploaded the full table of temperatures.
#bostonschools #heatwave
schoolyardnews.com/97-degrees-a...
BPS parent Travis Marshall asks:
Why must 6th graders who apply to lottery-admission high schools wait months to find out where they’re going next fall? The delay makes these children feel they don’t matter to BPS. It's May 20 and they still don't know!
schoolyardnews.com/why-does-bps...
Why must 6th graders who apply to lottery-admission high schools wait months to find out where they’re going next fall? The delay makes these children feel they don’t matter to BPS. It's May 20 and they still don't know!
schoolyardnews.com/why-does-bps...
Why does BPS take so long to assign sixth graders to their high schools?
Open enrollment students wait for months after exam schools and other selective high schools send out invitations. That hurts!
schoolyardnews.com
May 20, 2026 at 11:04 PM
BPS parent Travis Marshall asks:
Why must 6th graders who apply to lottery-admission high schools wait months to find out where they’re going next fall? The delay makes these children feel they don’t matter to BPS. It's May 20 and they still don't know!
schoolyardnews.com/why-does-bps...
Why must 6th graders who apply to lottery-admission high schools wait months to find out where they’re going next fall? The delay makes these children feel they don’t matter to BPS. It's May 20 and they still don't know!
schoolyardnews.com/why-does-bps...
The Special Ed Parents Advisory Council demands an audit of special ed in BPS. SpEdPAC Chair Edith Bazile explains their reasons:
The administration is shrinking district staff while spending more on outside contractors, she says, and that’s not good for students
schoolyardnews.com/why-boston-n...
The administration is shrinking district staff while spending more on outside contractors, she says, and that’s not good for students
schoolyardnews.com/why-boston-n...
Why Boston Needs a Special Education Audit: The Math Isn’t Adding Up
By Edith Bazile, Chair, Boston Public Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SpEdPAC)
schoolyardnews.com
April 29, 2026 at 7:30 PM
The Special Ed Parents Advisory Council demands an audit of special ed in BPS. SpEdPAC Chair Edith Bazile explains their reasons:
The administration is shrinking district staff while spending more on outside contractors, she says, and that’s not good for students
schoolyardnews.com/why-boston-n...
The administration is shrinking district staff while spending more on outside contractors, she says, and that’s not good for students
schoolyardnews.com/why-boston-n...
Opinion: State officials propose making high school students finish all the MassCore courses to graduate. That sounds like ensuring high standards.
But it could just be a new box-checking exercise that gets in the way of learning.
#bostonschools #mapoli
schoolyardnews.com/opinion-maki...
But it could just be a new box-checking exercise that gets in the way of learning.
#bostonschools #mapoli
schoolyardnews.com/opinion-maki...
Opinion: Making high school students complete MassCore may not mean they get a better education
A Boston School Committee member’s comment raises a warning flag
schoolyardnews.com
April 27, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Opinion: State officials propose making high school students finish all the MassCore courses to graduate. That sounds like ensuring high standards.
But it could just be a new box-checking exercise that gets in the way of learning.
#bostonschools #mapoli
schoolyardnews.com/opinion-maki...
But it could just be a new box-checking exercise that gets in the way of learning.
#bostonschools #mapoli
schoolyardnews.com/opinion-maki...
Did BPS “reimagine school funding” this year?
Officials say they used a 2023 community panel’s budget principles. Did they?
(Google can’t find the Reimagine School Funding report on the BPS website. But we and the parents group QUEST posted it.)
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/did-bps-reim...
Officials say they used a 2023 community panel’s budget principles. Did they?
(Google can’t find the Reimagine School Funding report on the BPS website. But we and the parents group QUEST posted it.)
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/did-bps-reim...
Did BPS “reimagine school funding” this year?
Officials say they used a 2023 community panel’s budget principles. Did they?
schoolyardnews.com
March 23, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Did BPS “reimagine school funding” this year?
Officials say they used a 2023 community panel’s budget principles. Did they?
(Google can’t find the Reimagine School Funding report on the BPS website. But we and the parents group QUEST posted it.)
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/did-bps-reim...
Officials say they used a 2023 community panel’s budget principles. Did they?
(Google can’t find the Reimagine School Funding report on the BPS website. But we and the parents group QUEST posted it.)
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/did-bps-reim...
Edith Bazile’s response to our article about how much Boston spends on schools:
“[T]he Foundation Budget tells only part of the story. … It does not tell us how resources are experienced by students”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/boston-publi...
“[T]he Foundation Budget tells only part of the story. … It does not tell us how resources are experienced by students”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/boston-publi...
Boston Public Schools: A $1.7 Billion School System Still Failing Black Students
“[T]he Foundation Budget tells only part of the story. … It does not tell us how resources are experienced by students”
schoolyardnews.com
March 18, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Edith Bazile’s response to our article about how much Boston spends on schools:
“[T]he Foundation Budget tells only part of the story. … It does not tell us how resources are experienced by students”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/boston-publi...
“[T]he Foundation Budget tells only part of the story. … It does not tell us how resources are experienced by students”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/boston-publi...
Bilingual education is taking a big hit in the BPS budget for next year. What will that mean in the classroom?
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/bps-official...
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/bps-official...
BPS officials use steep bilingual ed cuts to help balance their budget
Putting immigrant students into classes with English-only classmates may save big bucks
schoolyardnews.com
March 11, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Bilingual education is taking a big hit in the BPS budget for next year. What will that mean in the classroom?
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/bps-official...
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/bps-official...
What do Bad Bunny and Boston School Comm member Frank Peralta have in common?
They both passionately promoted multilingual America in recent public appearances.
“Bilingual education … [is] for the native English-speaking families, too!”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/what-do-the-...
They both passionately promoted multilingual America in recent public appearances.
“Bilingual education … [is] for the native English-speaking families, too!”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/what-do-the-...
What do the Superbowl halftime show and a recent Boston School Committee meeting have in common?
Both featured a push for a multilingual America
schoolyardnews.com
March 5, 2026 at 10:38 PM
What do Bad Bunny and Boston School Comm member Frank Peralta have in common?
They both passionately promoted multilingual America in recent public appearances.
“Bilingual education … [is] for the native English-speaking families, too!”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/what-do-the-...
They both passionately promoted multilingual America in recent public appearances.
“Bilingual education … [is] for the native English-speaking families, too!”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/what-do-the-...
Edith Bazile on the centuries-long, continuing struggle of Black people for an education.
“This city once denied Black students literacy by law and today that denial is by practice.”
#bostonschools #BlackHistoryMonth2026
schoolyardnews.com/black-histor...
“This city once denied Black students literacy by law and today that denial is by practice.”
#bostonschools #BlackHistoryMonth2026
schoolyardnews.com/black-histor...
Black History Month: A Reckoning and Celebration of Power
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free” — Frederick Douglass
schoolyardnews.com
February 27, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Edith Bazile on the centuries-long, continuing struggle of Black people for an education.
“This city once denied Black students literacy by law and today that denial is by practice.”
#bostonschools #BlackHistoryMonth2026
schoolyardnews.com/black-histor...
“This city once denied Black students literacy by law and today that denial is by practice.”
#bostonschools #BlackHistoryMonth2026
schoolyardnews.com/black-histor...
BPS checked up on what happened to WREC students after they closed the WREC, but didn’t make their findings public.
An internal report showed lasting harm to WREC 9th graders.
#bostonschools #bospoli #WREC
schoolyardnews.com/closing-the-...
An internal report showed lasting harm to WREC 9th graders.
#bostonschools #bospoli #WREC
schoolyardnews.com/closing-the-...
Closing the WREC did lasting harm to ninth graders, internal BPS report said
Ex-Superintendent Cassellius got data on what happened in years following the closure
schoolyardnews.com
February 25, 2026 at 9:30 PM
BPS checked up on what happened to WREC students after they closed the WREC, but didn’t make their findings public.
An internal report showed lasting harm to WREC 9th graders.
#bostonschools #bospoli #WREC
schoolyardnews.com/closing-the-...
An internal report showed lasting harm to WREC 9th graders.
#bostonschools #bospoli #WREC
schoolyardnews.com/closing-the-...
St. Stephen’s parents and supporters call on BPS to offer bilingual education to all who want it. Petition asks for a 10-year plan.
“Research shows that students in bilingual programs have faster growth and better outcomes in both English and math ”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/parents-call...
“Research shows that students in bilingual programs have faster growth and better outcomes in both English and math ”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/parents-call...
Parents call for bilingual education for all who want it
“Learning two languages makes [our children] more confident and more capable.”
schoolyardnews.com
February 24, 2026 at 7:13 PM
St. Stephen’s parents and supporters call on BPS to offer bilingual education to all who want it. Petition asks for a 10-year plan.
“Research shows that students in bilingual programs have faster growth and better outcomes in both English and math ”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/parents-call...
“Research shows that students in bilingual programs have faster growth and better outcomes in both English and math ”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/parents-call...
School closures show the vast gulf between what parents value and officials.
“When policymakers say closures... ensure 'high-quality education,' they are often referring to data indicators — not the lived experience of students and families.”
Part 3 of a series
schoolyardnews.com/why-school-c...
“When policymakers say closures... ensure 'high-quality education,' they are often referring to data indicators — not the lived experience of students and families.”
Part 3 of a series
schoolyardnews.com/why-school-c...
Why School Closures Keep Being the Answer
Part 3 of Suleika Soto’s series on BPS policy making
schoolyardnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:08 PM
School closures show the vast gulf between what parents value and officials.
“When policymakers say closures... ensure 'high-quality education,' they are often referring to data indicators — not the lived experience of students and families.”
Part 3 of a series
schoolyardnews.com/why-school-c...
“When policymakers say closures... ensure 'high-quality education,' they are often referring to data indicators — not the lived experience of students and families.”
Part 3 of a series
schoolyardnews.com/why-school-c...
The Boston School Committee has decided their role is to focus on numerical “student outcomes” and help the supt achieve them.
Family engagement is just a sideshow.
Part 2 of Suleika Soto’s series on “student outcomes focused governance.”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/from-engagem...
Family engagement is just a sideshow.
Part 2 of Suleika Soto’s series on “student outcomes focused governance.”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/from-engagem...
From Engagement to Management: What does “Student Outcomes-Focused Governance really mean?
Part 2 of Suleika Soto’s series on BPS policy making
schoolyardnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:31 PM
The Boston School Committee has decided their role is to focus on numerical “student outcomes” and help the supt achieve them.
Family engagement is just a sideshow.
Part 2 of Suleika Soto’s series on “student outcomes focused governance.”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/from-engagem...
Family engagement is just a sideshow.
Part 2 of Suleika Soto’s series on “student outcomes focused governance.”
#bostonschools
schoolyardnews.com/from-engagem...
There's a national trend among school boards, including in Boston, to adopt “student outcomes focused governance.”
It has meant school officials disregard what parents say — even though they claim they listen.
First of four articles by Suleika Soto.
schoolyardnews.com/school-leade...
It has meant school officials disregard what parents say — even though they claim they listen.
First of four articles by Suleika Soto.
schoolyardnews.com/school-leade...
School leaders don’t listen to the community. Their new approach to governance tells them not to.
A nationwide move to disempower communities
schoolyardnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:45 AM
There's a national trend among school boards, including in Boston, to adopt “student outcomes focused governance.”
It has meant school officials disregard what parents say — even though they claim they listen.
First of four articles by Suleika Soto.
schoolyardnews.com/school-leade...
It has meant school officials disregard what parents say — even though they claim they listen.
First of four articles by Suleika Soto.
schoolyardnews.com/school-leade...
Many teachers say BPS’s “high quality” English curriculum for secondary schools is actually of low quality.
One teacher's comment:
“It’s the opposite of rigor. There’s no critical thinking.”
Another:
“It’s boring, and boring is a recipe for disaster.”
schoolyardnews.com/many-bps-tea...
One teacher's comment:
“It’s the opposite of rigor. There’s no critical thinking.”
Another:
“It’s boring, and boring is a recipe for disaster.”
schoolyardnews.com/many-bps-tea...
Many BPS teachers object to StudySync English curriculum mandate
Is it really “High Quality”?
schoolyardnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Many teachers say BPS’s “high quality” English curriculum for secondary schools is actually of low quality.
One teacher's comment:
“It’s the opposite of rigor. There’s no critical thinking.”
Another:
“It’s boring, and boring is a recipe for disaster.”
schoolyardnews.com/many-bps-tea...
One teacher's comment:
“It’s the opposite of rigor. There’s no critical thinking.”
Another:
“It’s boring, and boring is a recipe for disaster.”
schoolyardnews.com/many-bps-tea...
Chinese and Vietnamese communities press BPS to let students around the city go to schools that teach using their home languages.
They say the benefits for many students and their families are life-changing.
Skipper says it would cost too much.
schoolyardnews.com/families-and...
They say the benefits for many students and their families are life-changing.
Skipper says it would cost too much.
schoolyardnews.com/families-and...
Families and educators push for citywide access for Vietnamese and Chinese language programs
They say such programs have life-changing benefits for many children and their families
schoolyardnews.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Chinese and Vietnamese communities press BPS to let students around the city go to schools that teach using their home languages.
They say the benefits for many students and their families are life-changing.
Skipper says it would cost too much.
schoolyardnews.com/families-and...
They say the benefits for many students and their families are life-changing.
Skipper says it would cost too much.
schoolyardnews.com/families-and...
BPS is starting to track what happens to students after the administration closes their schools.
Did they look to see what happened to the students of the WREC and the Jackson/Mann, closed a few years ago?
We asked.
No answer.
schoolyardnews.com/bps-official...
Did they look to see what happened to the students of the WREC and the Jackson/Mann, closed a few years ago?
We asked.
No answer.
schoolyardnews.com/bps-official...
BPS officials say they’ll find out what happens to students when schools close
Kennedy School students helping with “the human side”
schoolyardnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:14 PM
BPS is starting to track what happens to students after the administration closes their schools.
Did they look to see what happened to the students of the WREC and the Jackson/Mann, closed a few years ago?
We asked.
No answer.
schoolyardnews.com/bps-official...
Did they look to see what happened to the students of the WREC and the Jackson/Mann, closed a few years ago?
We asked.
No answer.
schoolyardnews.com/bps-official...
Twenty-two organizations join together to condemn the proposal to close more schools. A School Committee decision is set for Wednesday.
“BPS is choosing to shut down schools that serve some of the highest-need populations in the district.”
schoolyardnews.com/opposition-t...
“BPS is choosing to shut down schools that serve some of the highest-need populations in the district.”
schoolyardnews.com/opposition-t...
Opposition to BPS school closings swells as vote nears
“BPS is choosing to shut down schools that serve some of the highest-need populations in the district.”
schoolyardnews.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Twenty-two organizations join together to condemn the proposal to close more schools. A School Committee decision is set for Wednesday.
“BPS is choosing to shut down schools that serve some of the highest-need populations in the district.”
schoolyardnews.com/opposition-t...
“BPS is choosing to shut down schools that serve some of the highest-need populations in the district.”
schoolyardnews.com/opposition-t...
In Mass, each district decides the courses a student must take to graduate. That could change. One idea is to require MassCore: 22 courses.
BPS is adopting MassCore. The process at Muñiz Academy shows how a mandate can stifle innovation unless there’s flexibility.
schoolyardnews.com/masscore-com...
BPS is adopting MassCore. The process at Muñiz Academy shows how a mandate can stifle innovation unless there’s flexibility.
schoolyardnews.com/masscore-com...
MassCore comes to the Muñiz
“Have you ever done high school scheduling? It’s a really complicated beast.”
schoolyardnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:20 PM
In Mass, each district decides the courses a student must take to graduate. That could change. One idea is to require MassCore: 22 courses.
BPS is adopting MassCore. The process at Muñiz Academy shows how a mandate can stifle innovation unless there’s flexibility.
schoolyardnews.com/masscore-com...
BPS is adopting MassCore. The process at Muñiz Academy shows how a mandate can stifle innovation unless there’s flexibility.
schoolyardnews.com/masscore-com...