As Boston Public Schools (BPS) embark on a review of the admissions policy for its elite exam schools, district staff conducted simulations to assess potential revisions using data from both last and this year’s applicant pools.
These simulations revealed that any amendments would likely lead to a slight increase in admissions for white and non-low-income students.
Any change to the existing policy will necessitate a vote by the school board, occurring approximately five years after the district implemented a comprehensive overhaul of admissions for Boston Latin School, Boston Latin Academy, and the John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science.
During a presentation on Tuesday, officials outlined a timeline for community engagement set to occur over the summer, followed by a possible recommendation from the superintendent and a committee vote in the fall.
The current admissions policy was designed to align the demographics of these exam schools more closely with the broader student population of the city.
Historically, these schools enrolled a higher proportion of white, Asian, and non-low-income students compared to the rest of the district.
Mayor Michelle Wu emphasized the success of existing policies in enhancing geographic, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity at the exam schools in a pre-meeting interview.
However, she acknowledged disparities in admission rates based on the neighborhoods in which students reside, reporting that some areas have experienced admission rates as high as 100% while others fell below 50%.
The simulations presented proposed policies that would maintain socioeconomic tiers but aim to ensure equitable access to exam school seats for all students, irrespective of their residential or elementary school backgrounds.
Superintendent Mary Skipper reiterated the district’s commitment to equity in BPS policies, stating, “We want all students to see themselves in the exam schools.”
This review of the exam school admissions policy follows the recent announcement of a federal investigation into Virginia’s Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
This prestigious, selective public high school underwent significant admission changes in the last five years, paralleling the situation in Boston.
Skipper noted the ongoing litigation regarding selective school admissions and how recent court rulings have upheld the validity of prior policy measures.
Under the current policy, which has undergone minor adjustments in the last year, Boston is divided into four socioeconomic tiers.
Students within each tier compete for an equal share—one-quarter—of the available seats in the schools.
Eligible applicants must have at least a B average and apply to enter grades 7 and 9.
Each student earns a composite score out of 100 based on their academic performance and entrance exam results.
Additional consideration is given to those who live in public housing, are homeless, or in foster care, allowing for a bonus of 15 points, while students attending schools with at least 40% low-income enrollment receive varying bonus points, dependent on tier.
However, Skipper informed that data indicates these school-based bonus points have not significantly influenced admission invitations because most applicants attend BPS schools that already receive bonus points.
The simulations prepared for the meeting excluded the bonus points entirely, providing a clearer lens for analysis.
While there is potential for future analysis to include versions with the bonus points, Skipper expressed concerns regarding their complexity and the competitive environment they create among schools.
Furthermore, these bonus points have, in some instances, led to unattainable admissions cutoffs for students without access to them.
Parents have frequently advocated for scaling the tiers based on the number of applicants rather than the number of eligible students.
The affluence of specific tiers has traditionally attracted more applicants, making the competition fierce, particularly in the wealthier categories.
Recent data released during the meeting indicated that application rates from Tier 4, the wealthiest area, have decreased, while Tier 1, the least affluent, has seen a rise in applications.
Despite this shift, the admission rates remain disparate, ranging from 59% in Tier 4 to 77% in Tier 1, with minimum scores for Grade 7 admissions significantly higher in Tier 4.
Another troubling finding in this year’s data was that fewer Black students earned admission compared to previous years.
Skipper stated that district staff continue to investigate these statistics to seek explanations for the trend.
In simulations that adjusted the tiers based on applicant numbers, the admission rate would have balanced out to around two-thirds for each tier.
Two other simulations, which explored different structures for citywide admissions, revealed that wealthier areas would retain the highest admission rates, approximately 70%.
Nevertheless, a different approach for determining bonus points was dismissed once again.
School Committee member Brandon Cardet-Hernandez, although absent for the meeting, has persistently advocated for the elimination of school-based bonus points in favor of those based on individual students’ socioeconomic status.
Historically, many higher-income students have received bonus points linked to their schools, while numerous low-income applicants have been overlooked.
In a memo to the committee, Skipper articulated the infeasibility of implementing individual bonus points due to operational hurdles and varying participation levels among low-income students who may be ineligible due to immigration-related reasons.
Both Mayor Wu and Superintendent Skipper highlighted that, although the exam schools garner substantial interest and cater to a considerable segment of Boston’s secondary students, the focus should not rest solely on these institutions.
“BPS aims to be the top choice for every Boston family,” Wu stated, emphasizing the necessity for positive, high-quality educational experiences across all high schools.
Members of the School Committee cautioned that an exclusive focus on the three exam schools might undermine the accomplishments and quality of education in the district’s other schools.
Committee chairperson Jeri Robinson expressed concern over the bias toward the perception that the exam schools provide a superior educational experience.
The distinction raises questions about the disparity in value assigned to diplomas from different BPS schools.
“What’s the value of a BPS diploma, if it means different things, depending on the school that you came out of?” Robinson posed.
Member Chantal Lima Barbosa also voiced her disappointment with the current handling of the admissions policy.
She articulated a desire for a resolution that goes beyond surface-level adjustments and leads to a sustainable, fair solution.
Dorchester parent Deirdre Manning criticized the existing admissions policy, pointing out that it disproportionately hampers students from neighborhoods like the North End and Charlestown from gaining access to the city’s elite exam schools.
Manning noted that the potential changes seem to be addressing these inequities.
However, she urged parents to thoroughly examine how these measures might impact their children and families, reflecting on how convoluted the current process has become.
“It is essential for parents to understand the implications of these changes,” she emphasized.
Kathleen Chardavoyne, a parent from Charlestown, commended the proposed changes but reflected on the troubling reality where many students with high composite scores still do not receive invitations to the exam schools.
The district’s review promises a significant examination of longstanding disparities, but the outcomes remain crucial for the students vying for admission.
image source from：bostonglobe
