Education

EY-Parthenon analysis details challenges facing public high school students who fall off track, and recommends five components of integrated approach to ensure high-quality for all.

Written by Leah Hamilton

Last August, the Barr Foundation was pleased to partner with the Boston Public Schools (BPS) on an important new study commissioned by Superintendent Tommy Chang. Its purpose was to provide a comprehensive analysis of the District’s secondary schools, with a focus on students who have fallen off track to graduate.

With funding from Barr, BPS engaged EY-Parthenon to lead a deep, thorough analysis of students in its high schools, the paths students take, and the school, system and policy factors that contribute to students falling off-track to graduate. EY-Parthenon analyzed data on all students in grades 6 – 12 who enrolled in BPS between the 2009-10 and 2016-17 school years. They also conducted focus groups with current high school students. Throughout the process, they worked closely with a steering committee comprised of leadership from BPS high schools and from the District’s central office.

The resulting report, Excellence and equity for all — Unlocking opportunities for off-track youth in Boston Public Schools, identified some sobering statistics about the opportunities and challenges young people face within the current system, including:

Too many students are enrolled in high schools they and their families did not choose.

All students do not enjoy equal access to high-quality schools.

Nearly one in five high school students are falling off track, and existing supports for them are inadequate to the challenges they face in connecting to success.

The challenges facing BPS’ high schools are the result of many decisions made over many years. Addressing these challenges will require bold and comprehensive action, and engagement from the entire community, including philanthropy. Behind the statistics in this report are real young people whose lives are profoundly impacted and we must act urgently to ensure excellence is available to all.

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