Transforming Boston’s Schools: A Simple Yet Powerful Idea
On a bright spring morning at John Hay Community Academy in Chicago, a scene unfolds that could hold the key to transforming Boston’s public schools. Three first-graders, Faye, Ka’mari, and A’Kyng, are eagerly participating in a high-dosage tutoring session. This method, which involves intensive, individualized instruction, has shown remarkable promise in improving academic performance.
Just across the hall, Felicia Mason, a dedicated member of the school district’s Tutor Corps, is guiding her young charges through a series of words. With each correct pronunciation, the children’s excitement grows—a testament to the effectiveness of this educational intervention.
High-dosage tutoring is not just another educational fad; it is backed by extensive research. Studies have demonstrated that this approach can significantly enhance learning outcomes, often outperforming other popular strategies like extended school days or summer programs. In fact, a pair of randomized control trials conducted in Chicago a decade ago found that high-dosage tutoring doubled or tripled the learning of low-income Black and Latino high school students.
The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to test the scalability of this intervention. With federal funding pouring into academic recovery, districts across the country, including Boston, were encouraged to adopt evidence-based strategies like high-dosage tutoring. While some states and districts have embraced this approach, Boston has yet to make it a priority.
The Boston Connection
Interestingly, Boston is the birthplace of the high-dosage tutoring movement. Match Charter Public High School, which opened at the turn of the century, pioneered this approach. By employing a “Match Corps” of live-in tutors, the school transformed its student body into one of the highest achieving in the state.
Despite its origins, Boston has not fully embraced high-dosage tutoring in its public schools. The city has experimented with the intervention in a small number of schools, but it has not been prioritized. With a wealth of underutilized school buildings and a rich philanthropic infrastructure, Boston is well-positioned to implement a robust high-dosage tutoring program.
The Boston Globe editorial board argues that Boston should seriously consider investing in high-quality, high-dosage tutoring. The potential benefits are immense—not only in terms of academic achievement but also in addressing long-standing achievement gaps between white students and students of color.
Scaling Up
Scaling up high-dosage tutoring presents challenges, particularly in terms of cost and labor. However, innovative solutions, such as remote and hybrid tutoring models, offer promising pathways to expand these programs. By leveraging technology, districts can tap into a wider pool of qualified tutors, thereby reducing costs and increasing reach.
In Chicago, for example, the district has partnered with Saga Education to implement a hybrid tutoring model. This approach combines self-guided computer lessons with live, remote tutoring sessions, allowing more students to benefit from high-dosage tutoring.
As Boston considers its educational future, it would do well to learn from these examples. By investing in high-dosage tutoring, the city can provide its students with the best learning conditions possible. The potential for transformative change is within reach—Boston just needs to take the leap.
More Articles
Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!
The recent settlement agreements between Anywhere Real Estate and RE/MAX have brought significant changes to the real estate industry. These agreements mark a turning point in buyer broker compensation and have far-reaching implications for agents and brokers alike. With the removal of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) membership requirement and the Code of Ethics, agents now have more flexibility in conducting their business. This shift has sparked both optimism and concerns within the industry. Join us as we navigate through the changes brought about by these settlement agreements and uncover their potential effects on professionalism, competition, and the overall landscape of the real estate market.
The mortgage market is currently facing significant challenges, with mortgage rates nearing 8%, low housing inventory, and rising home prices. In this article, we explore the strategies employed by wholesale lenders and brokers to navigate these conditions and adapt to the changing market landscape. One key strategy is the implementation of down-payment assistance programs, providing financial support to potential homebuyers. Another is the option to buy down mortgage rates, offering more affordable monthly payments. With limited housing inventory, many potential homebuyers are turning to fixer-upper properties, and lenders are capitalizing on this trend by offering renovation loans. Brokerage firm owners are also diligently managing their cost structures to remain profitable. Looking ahead, industry professionals are closely monitoring the potential impact of the Federal Reserve's tightening monetary policy and political instability on the mortgage market.
Two innovative startups in Texas, Hive3D and Icon, are leveraging 3D printing technology to combat housing inventory shortages and climate change. They're constructing eco-friendly homes, offering a groundbreaking approach to sustainable housing. Houston-based Hive3D uses "green cement," reducing waste and contributing positively to the environment. Icon's efficient construction methods enable them to construct an entire subdivision of homes in less time, meeting the growing demand for housing and reducing resource consumption. These 3D-printed homes are more cost-effective due to reduced labor costs and minimized material waste, offering more affordable housing options.
In the midst of the continued climb of 30-year fixed mortgage rates, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) has issued a call to the Federal Reserve (Fed) to bring much-needed certainty to the financial markets. The MBA believes that the Fed must make clear statements regarding the end of its rate hikes and its intentions with its mortgage-backed securities (MBS) holdings. The MBA, represented by its president and CEO, Bob Broeksmit, has emphasized the urgency of the Fed's communication. Broeksmit asserts that the Fed needs to clearly state that it has reached the end of its rate hikes and that it will refrain from selling its MBS holdings until the housing finance market stabilizes and mortgage-to-Treasury spreads normalize.
Despite a decline in mortgage application fraud, New York and Florida continue to face the highest mortgage fraud risks in the nation. The primary drivers of fraud risk in these states are fraudulent income misrepresentation and undisclosed real estate liabilities. High-risk metropolitan areas include New York City, Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. To combat mortgage fraud risks, it is crucial to maintain vigilance and take proactive actions. Stay ahead of the game and protect yourself from mortgage fraud risks in New York and Florida. Sign up for our mortgage fraud prevention course today.
Significant changes may be on the horizon for the United States housing market if new legislation is passed. Bills introduced in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives propose the requirement of title insurance on mortgages purchased by government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs). Known collectively as The Protecting America's Property Rights Act, these bills are currently under consideration and have not yet been voted on. If passed, the proposed amendments to the charters of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would make primary-lien title insurance mandatory for conventional mortgages on one- to four-unit properties. Title insurance plays a critical role in the mortgage industry by protecting lenders and homeowners. It offers financial loss protection in the event of property title defects, ensuring that property ownership is free from any legal disputes or claims. Lawmakers aim to enhance the integrity of the mortgage market and provide additional safeguards for lenders and borrowers by requiring title insurance on GSE-backed loans.
