fb-pixelThe Great Divide - Race, class, and opportunity in Boston schools Skip to main content
The Great Divide
Race, class, and opportunity in our schools.

Who’s behind the MCAS ballot initiative? A fifth-grade teacher from Hull.

Deb McCarthy’s quest exemplifies the deep frustration shared by many educators about the MCAS, which is fueling the biggest testing backlash to hit Massachusetts in two decades.

Boston Teachers Union ramps up public pressure amid ongoing contract talks
Demonstrators are “demanding movement on [contract] negotiations with the city,” the union said.

As voters ponder ballot question to end MCAS graduation testing requirement, failure rates rise dramatically
Both proponents and opponents are seizing upon the MCAS failure rates and spinning it to their advantage as they attempt to win over voters at the polls.

Boston Public Schools’ Linda Chen talks equal access, school closures at Globe Summit

Not all schools offer high-quality curriculum or materials, leading to disparities in academic achievement, acknowledged BPS Deputy Superintendent of Academics Linda Chen.

Somerville set to restore hours at Central Library next week with private security keeping watch, mayor says

“Having police present at all times in the libraries is not a direction we wanted to go in,” Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne said.

16,000 10th-graders failed the MCAS exam. Here’s what to know ahead of ballot question 2.

Half of the 13,000 students who failed in 2023 and retook the exam last year passed on their second or third attempt. The remaining students, now seniors, have two more tries to pass.

About The Great Divide

The Great Divide is a reporting effort dedicated to investigating race, class, and inequality in Boston-area schools. It is jointly funded by the Globe and the Barr Foundation, a Boston-based foundation that has prioritized student success in high school and beyond. The Globe maintains editorial control and independence over the project.

Sign up for The Great Divide newsletter

Stay up to date on the most pressing issues affecting our public education system and their possible solutions. Sign up for our free newsletter with updates on our investigative findings, links to stories, and other relevant information.
Sept. 11: Brockton Schools’ $18 million deficit blamed on ‘incompetence’ in new reportSept. 4: Introducing Connecting the Dots: data journalism on schoolsAug. 28: Mass. autistic students wrongly placed at unregulated boarding schoolAug 21: Saugus schools illegally block migrants from enrolling, lawyers allegeClick here to see past issues

Education Headlines

Boston city councilors call on education board to investigate late school buses

In emails, texts, and phone calls, the councilors said, parents have complained about waiting nearly an hour in the morning for buses to pick up their children for school.

Database: How each school and district performed on the 2024 MCAS tests in math, English, and science

Explore test scores by district and school in this database, plus see trends over time.

2024 MCAS scores show Massachusetts falling further behind post-pandemic

Even the youngest students, third graders who were only in kindergarten when schools shut down, remain significantly behind their pre-pandemic peers.

Brockton man charged in assault of 13-year-old girl walking home from school, officials say

Marckenson Beauge, 22,was arraigned in Brockton District Court on charges of rape of a child with force, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and kidnapping of a child, prosecutors said.

Police investigate threat against Chelmsford High School

Police are investigating a threat made against Chelmsford High School, officials said Sunday, marking the latest of a series of threats against schools in Massachusetts and nationwide.

‘It’s our duty’: Healey, education officials celebrate $20 million early literacy investment

The administration’s literacy efforts will also be bolstered by a new five-year, $38.4 million federal grant.

‘A great idea’: Sullivan supports removing mayor as School Committee chair after budget fiasco

Independent investigators who looked into the budget crisis recommended the School Committee chair be someone other than mayor, but the position is written in the city’s charter.

Revere Public Schools to hire security consultant following fights

A community forum will be held at Revere High School next week to allow staff, students, parents, and family members to discuss the recent violence.