Ideal School

Our students would work in a school without metal detectors and security officers. They would be doing predominately project-based learning. They would gather that work in a portfolio, which would be their graduating requirement. They would not take high stakes standardized tests (ie MCAS).
They would guide their learning. All learning was cross-disciplinary, grounded in student interests, and taught in small groups.
Grades were given as feedback for growth. Revision was expected. Making mistakes was valued.
We would work extensively on making our learning communities value each other. We would value all kinds of learning and the lived experiences of every student. We would advocate social change. We would teach from an anti-racism lens.
Teachers would run the schools by committee.
BPS administration would understand that it exists to serve the schools, not to dictate policy. The wisdom and work of BPS resides in the students, staff, and parents at the school, not in the Bolling Building. BPS would remove impediments to education and provide services needed at scale, as requested from the schools.
All curriculum and curriculum changes would be vetted by teachers, students and parents.
Learning goals and graduation requirements would be locally controlled, argued, vetted, and improved on a yearly basis.
All education technology would be piloted in schools by students and teachers before being rolled out.
Students should be able to take speciality classes (arts, technology, vocational) from any school in the system.
Every parent is interviewed about their students learning goals and learning styles and dreams yearly.
Every student is included.

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