Boston Public Schools putting advanced program on one-year hiatus because too many participants are white or Asian

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GBH News reports that Boston Public Schools will suspend test for advanced learning classes because of concerns with the program’s racial inequities.

GBH News added that a district analysis of the program found more than 70 percent of students in the program were white and Asian despite nearly 80 percent of all Boston public school students being Hispanic or black.

Lorna Rivera, a school committee member, said during a January meeting that she was disturbed by the numbers as 60 percent of fourth-graders in the program at the Ohrenberger School in West Roxbury are white, even though most third graders enrolled at the school are black and Hispanic.

After GBH News initially reported the story, Boston superintendent Brenda Cassellius said the program’s suspension wasn’t motivated by equity concerns, but a consequence of COVID-19.

Author: Jacob Hall