Whee have all the Children gone (in Boston)? (private schools, college)

[GeePee]

Originally Posted by Dm84

I mean that's really the smallest problem BPS has. It's not like eliminating bussing is magically going to make the local schools better. Does it really matter if you attend a failing school around the corner or the other side of the city?

I would argue that yes, in some instances people are treating public school as daycare.. as in a place where their child doesn't starve or go missing for 6 hours. So yeah it does matter where it is.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Dm84

I mean that's really the smallest problem BPS has. It's not like eliminating bussing is magically going to make the local schools better. Does it really matter if you attend a failing school around the corner or the other side of the city?

It very well may, by the incredibly poor metrics used to judge schools. Since laypeople judge the quality of schools based on test results, and test results result from socioeconomic factors (relative), the local schools in the pockets of the city comprised of those better off (compared to the median) may likely "improve". The ones that are kept local in their socioeconomically worse off neighborhoods may become "worse" due to the lack of socioeconomic integration. That's all assuming nothing in the school changes at all outside of this change.


In the end, yeah, you're right, the schools won't have changed, but the perception of them may.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by timberline742

It very well may, by the incredibly poor metrics used to judge schools. Since laypeople judge the quality of schools based on test results, and test results result from socioeconomic factors (relative), the local schools in the pockets of the city comprised of those better off (compared to the median) may likely "improve". The ones that are kept local in their socioeconomically worse off neighborhoods may become "worse" due to the lack of socioeconomic integration. That's all assuming nothing in the school changes at all outside of this change.

Most people living in Boston who currently send their kids to private school are not going to enroll their kids in BPS just because bussing is eliminated. The problem is the schools themselves are awful with a handful of exceptions.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Dm84

Most people living in Boston who currently send their kids to private school are not going to enroll their kids in BPS just because bussing is eliminated. The problem is the schools themselves are awful with a handful of exceptions.

Never implied they were. Quite the opposite. The scenario I was laying out was based on no other changes.

[BOS2IAD]

This past fall when we were in town, we noticed that there was a day care center on School Street. We assumed it was there for those who live in all the high rises that have sprouted up in the downtown area. Is that the case or are the kids in the center are ones who get dropped off while that parent(s) goes to work downtown?

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by BOS2IAD

This past fall when we were in town, we noticed that there was a day care center on School Street. We assumed it was there for those who live in all the high rises that have sprouted up in the downtown area. Is that the case or are the kids in the center are ones who get dropped off while that parent(s) goes to work downtown?

I would guess a bit of both. I think the issue being raised here is that once those kids that do live in the city get old enough for school, the parents and kids decamp to the suburbs.

[masssachoicetts]

I really dont get how Boston who recieves up to $150 million for a parcel, and has great of everything... Doesnt have a good public school system?

Thats definitely why enrollment is down. The C level schools arent worth sending youre kids too.

[timberline742]

Because what is considered "good" is in most people's minds related to test scores, and that's about it. Test scores are related to socioeconomic status of the parents. No matter how good teachers are, or facilities are, you're not going to overcome that deficiency. Socioeconomic segregation, how we judge schools on whether they are "good". That's not to say the facilities and quality of teachers couldn't be better, of course they could, but they're working at an incredible disadvantage right out of the gate.

[MMS02760]

Boston is just too expensive for most families. It has become a haven for childless and single people that are career driven high earners. Only they can afford it.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by masssachoicetts

I really dont get how Boston who recieves up to $150 million for a parcel, and has great of everything... Doesnt have a good public school system?

Thats definitely why enrollment is down. The C level schools arent worth sending youre kids too.

Boston has never treated its natives or children particularly well dating back to at least the 1960s. Not irish kids, not jewish kids, not italian kids but especially not black and latin kids. The city is much more invested in college students, the wealthy and the newly arrived and that's always been noted and observed by the local populace.

Its not at all surprising the city doesn't have good schools IMO. It's a harsh place to local residents which is a part of what cause people to become so cliquey and insular. It's not very friendly out there to the average family trying to make it. Never has been.

Quite frankly the city doesn't see $$$ from the families/kids so its a low priority.