For years, we have heard from Gateway City mayors and superintendents about the challenges they face renovating and replacing aging schools in their communities. In response to these concerns, the MassINC Policy Center partnered with the Worcester Regional Research Bureau to take an objective and data-driven look at the issue. Next week, we will unveil our findings at a State House forum.
Similar to previous analysis by the Boston Globe, our findings will show how Massachusetts is deploying its limited funds for school construction in ways that reinforce structural inequities. The bulk of state investment goes to rebuilding suburban buildings that are often more than adequate, while many Gateway City students are stuck in cramped and deteriorating buildings that lack basic features, like cafeterias, gyms, and libraries.
The negative consequences are two-fold: first, there is considerable evidence that students aren’t learning as well in these harsh environments. Antiquated urban schools are a big reason why achievement gaps have proven to be so stubborn. Second, these environments reinforce and further school segregation. Cities are working hard to build mixed-income neighborhoods, but they struggle to integrate classrooms when their buildings serve as a highly visible demonstration that children aren’t well-served by the local public school.
Massachusetts needs a serious strategy to ensure that all students can learn in 21st-century schools without further delay. Putting this plan together will be challenging—the state faces serious fiscal constraints, and there is already considerable sentiment that Gateway Cities receive more than their fair share of educational dollars.
But do not despair: There are also new openings to solve this longstanding challenge. Suburbs are starting to have real difficulty funding school construction projects as well. And with sharply declining enrollment, some may even consider regional consolidation, if it means their students get access to state-of-the-art buildings and a more diverse set of learning experiences. With the pronounced slowdown in commercial and institutional construction, workers in the building trades are eager to join forces with education leaders to jumpstart these crucial projects.
Positioning the state to take advantage of this moment to advance bold and creative solutions will require a roll up-your-sleeves effort from Gateway City leaders, who know a thing or two about resourcefulness in hard times. This work begins with the forum we are holding at the State House next Tuesday. Come help us make the case that new models are needed now to fix a system that has failed Gateway Cities, and by extension Massachusetts, for far too long.