Districts to Learn From: Boston

2016 Report from the Boston Public Schools (BPS) Long Term Financial Planning Process

Boston Public Schools just released “Investing in Student Success: 10 Big Ideas to Unlock Resources in the Boston Public Schools,” a powerful analysis that explores how to take action to improve BPS in the context of financial pressures. BPS chose to release the report in preparation for the budget planning cycle for the 2017-18 school year. The report details their past and present finances and what the future will look like if they continue on that trajectory. “The report forces us to ask a provocative question: What will it take to change that trajectory, while at the same time investing in student success?” said Superintendent Tommy Chang. The report is broken into three parts and explores BPS’ rising costs and pressures on revenue, what will happen if nothing changes, and 10 big ideas to transform the district’s financial future.

“Investing in Student Success” draws heavily upon data from a 2015 ERS report that identifies drivers of the BPS structural deficit and compares Boston resource use with similar districts. Learn more about our work in Boston.