Teacher Prep Review Charts Course to Improvement
June 22, 2014Spend Time on the Right Test
June 30, 2014The Boston Public Schools have a plan for driving improvements in the city’s schools that is both exciting and likely to bring about very positive results for children. Interim Superintendent John McDonough and Assistant Superintendent for Human Capital Ross Wilson have made a strong commitment to great teachers and school leaders and set bold goals for themselves and the district.
Pledging a “great teacher in every classroom in every school, every day for every child”, the Transforming Human Capital BPS plan involves the following:
- Improving, increasing and diversifying the candidate pool;
- An overhaul of hiring and staffing; and
- Empowering school leaders.
Changes implemented already have had an effect – while the bulk of hiring occurred over the summer in previous years, as illustrated below, this year 75% of vacancies were filled by June 7th! We’re particularly pleased with this development since it was a key recommendation of the 2010 study of Human Capital in the Boston Public Schools conducted for MBAE by the National Council on Teacher Quality. More details and graphics are available in this presentation.
Business leaders have been asked to join local philanthropies in supporting this transition to a new human capital system, which will cost more than the $6 million BPS has committed to it. Fortunately, foundations and corporations are responding to this request and we join them in supporting and commending this new direction!