Boston School Committee Approves $1.96 Million in Grants After MCAS Question 2 Vote

BOSTON — November 6, 2024 — Boston School Committee unanimously approves $1.96 million in grants and hears a sobering Mass Core graduation update the night after voters eliminated MCAS as a graduation requirement. Superintendent Mary Skipper and Secondary Superintendent Ted Lombardi reported that 51 percent of the class of 2024 completed all Mass Core requirements, double the rate of four years ago, but persistent gaps remain, with Black and Latino students completing requirements at 46 and 44 percent respectively compared to roughly 70 percent for white and Asian students. The three approved grants cover teacher leadership stipends ($800,000 Targeted Assistance Grant serving 18,000 students), fresh-meal kitchen infrastructure at 14 schools ($410,484 Food Security Infrastructure Grant), and early college program continuation ($750,000 serving roughly 500 students). Boston Adult Day Academy head Ben Halfitt warned that under current Mass Core credit requirements approximately half of his students would not reach graduation, telling the committee, "they will not hit the credit count before they turn 22." Skipper committed to returning in spring 2025 with formal alternative-pathway proposals as the district awaits post-Question 2 guidance from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.