Readers’ Advocate
(Editor’s note: The Readers’ Advocate’s role is to address the concerns of readers on a variety of matters, including the fairness of stories; what The Item covers and how; stories that may have been missed; and the emphasis put on certain stories but perhaps not on others. It is written by Jo Sullivan, a retired educator who is not a member of The Item staff and is not being paid. These commentaries appear periodically, on no set schedule. Send your comments to [email protected].)
In recent months, The Item has published a wide range of education stories from across the North Shore. This coverage is both significant and important. Whether or not we have school-age children, we are all affected by our district schools as parents, neighbors, and taxpayers.
The education coverage included stories about a Swampscott principal leading middle school students and staff on an overnight trip to the Ecology School, the broad programs supporting students and families at Lynn Community Schools’ Ford and Washington STEM Elementary Schools, and Marblehead High School’s ranking of 50th on a list of quality Massachusetts schools by the organization Niche.com. Other articles highlighted the state recognition of Peabody’s Center School for academic progress and the selection of Lynn English High School junior Essandem Forchap to Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s new Youth Advisory Council. Coverage also included a recent editorial on the front page, “Things are looking up for Lynn Public Schools,” and a news article about two grants awarded to Lynn Vocational Technical Institute.
In late October, The Item featured Lynn’s Harrington and Connery Elementary Schools for their dual-language programs, as well as an article on Ballot Question 2, “The Question Is: MCAS, Pass or Fail?” which discussed the pros and cons of ending the MCAS as a graduation requirement. The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), a major funder supporting a “yes” vote, was noted, though the financial backers of the “no” vote—business groups and Michael Bloomberg—were not mentioned. For those who argue a state standard like the MCAS is still necessary, the MassCore, a rigorous high school curriculum approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), could become a graduation requirement rather than a recommendation.
Challenges and struggles were also covered. On the same day The Item noted Marblehead High School’s ranking, a letter from a Marblehead paraprofessional highlighted low pay for school paraprofessionals compared to surrounding districts. Coverage of turmoil among Lynnfield School Committee members included news articles, opinion pieces, letters to the editor, and a police report.
The news that Lynn charter school KIPP Academy applied to increase its enrollment by more than 1,300 seats brought extensive coverage and controversy. A front-page letter from Lynn Schools Superintendent Dr. Evonne Alvarez to DESE highlighted Lynn’s objections to the KIPP expansion. The Item then covered a protest at Lynn Classical High School against the proposal, with Superintendent Alvarez and Mayor Jared Nicholson joining staff. An Item editorial, “Lynn Public Schools can’t afford charter expansion,” ran prominently on Oct. 4.
Both the Alvarez letter and the Item editorial warned that approving KIPP’s enrollment increase would devastate Lynn Public Schools. Funding for additional KIPP students would reduce Lynn Public Schools’ per-pupil funding by $24 million, effectively offsetting state aid provided under the 2019 Massachusetts Student Opportunity Act (SOA). If approved, the expansion could reduce Lynn Public Schools’ budget by up to $54 million. At a Lynn School Committee meeting evaluating Superintendent Alvarez, the committee voted on a resolution urging DESE to deny the KIPP request. Reporting on these developments helps readers understand the educational challenges facing our communities.
It was helpful that The Item included the piece on Peabody Center School’s recognition, which acknowledged its progress toward annual accountability targets by improving MCAS performance and other indicators, such as attendance. Unfortunately, the state’s ranking of districts reinforces distinctions; Lynn, for instance, ranks in the bottom 10% of MCAS results. As I noted in a December 2021 commentary, “MCAS and Judging Schools,” even if every district improved and met state expectations, some would always fall to the bottom. Gateway cities like Lynn, Lawrence, and New Bedford, which serve diverse populations including refugees and recent immigrants, might continue to rank low, while wealthy communities like Wellesley or Newton would likely stay in the top 10%.
The state, critics, and even some editorials can be unfair. A fairer observation would consider a district’s progress on accountability targets year-over-year. This was the approach used to recognize Peabody Center School, highlighting its improvements and goal-setting.
While a letter from KIPP administrators and PR staff noted demand and Lynn’s ranking, the expansion application feels like a backdoor effort to undermine the 2016 ballot referendum, in which 62% of Massachusetts voters opposed raising the state’s charter school cap. This expansion appears punitive, not an expansion of family options.
If the state wants to increase educational choices without penalizing host districts, it could establish a dedicated budget line for charter schools, create a competitive charter application process, and avoid penalizing host communities.
Additional positive observations
Acknowledging events and individuals in our communities
“May Day marchers have their say”
“Nahant loses an artistic treasure” sculptor Ray Pisano at 101”
Providing opportunities to smile
On one front page, Sept. 30, there were four articles, featuring positive local charity events that counteract troubling national and international news: “More 4 Heather,” “Volunteers for America,” “Lynn Cultural Council grants,” and “Walk for Vets.”
Including more state house news and recent local editorials
How appropriate that the Nov. 1 front page paired a tribute to long-time, committed local activist Agnes Ricko with the young Item staffers’ endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Having a Nov. 2 editorial end the week with “Agnes Ricko represented the best in democracy” provided a role model for us all.
