BPS looks to take a new test
Schools solicit replacement after Education Research Bureau bails
Boston Public Schools is seeking a new test provider for admissions into elite exam schools in a Request For Proposals due to be released on Wednesday, after a longtime vendor, the Education Research Bureau, dropped the district.
BPS was recently blasted by ERB for misapplication of the test scores used to get into one of Boston’s three exam schools, and the vendor said it would no longer provide the exam, citing eight years of failed attempts to work with the district on equity issues.
“Creating more equitable opportunities for students to get a great education is one of our most important priorities,” said BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius in a statement. “We believe the new RFP will help level the playing field for students seeking admission to our exam schools.”
ERB declined to comment on Tuesday.
The new RFP, which is issued every three years, aims to lock down a test provider that will offer “a fair test that is aligned to Massachusetts curriculum standards, is bias-free and measures student knowledge and readiness for a rigorous high school curriculum,” BPS said in a statement Tuesday night, despite receiving inquiries about the RFP from the Herald midday.
BPS used an internal working group and community feedback to develop the RFP, asking that all interested vendors submit a proposal demonstrating their test is aligned to Massachusetts state learning standards, according to BPS.
School Committee Chairman Michael Loconto said, “BPS is committed to ensuring equitable access to rigorous learning environments for all our students, and has worked for many years to increase the diversity of our exam schools.”
Equity issues in the admissions process for Boston Latin School, Boston Latin Academy, and the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science has been at the forefront of conversations about the system’s larger struggles in serving a majoritypoor and minority district.
Students of color are vastly underrepresented at Boston Latin School and Boston Latin Academy where white students make up 45% and 30% of their respective student bodies.
Boston Teacher’s Union President Jessica Tang said, “It is critical that the RFP process prioritize equity and opportunity for all BPS students, that the process is aligned to BPS standards, and that it doesn’t put current BPS students at a disadvantage.”