[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6274078,"mediaKeyId","2994753-c747a725d1ccbd145926503efc02c600","parentId",2994753,"title","BPS outlines postsecondary strategy: early college growth, CTE expansion and new transition program for older special‑education students","audioSeconds",201,"startMs",3912000,"endMs",4113000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2994753-c747a725d1ccbd145926503efc02c600&start=3912&end=4113","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2994753-c747a725d1ccbd145926503efc02c600/thumbnail_3912000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6274078/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/BPS-outlines-postsecondary-strategy-early-college-growth-CTE-expansion-and-new-transition-program-for-older-specialeducation-students","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274078-846723b83a20dadac0c5ffd2665611b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996173&Signature=lM2v89SXPKVmd2QhKeActPiRXxtkZp5AfXb3uvKND0997UgnxE9q5tzh1Xeocz2jrDStArOIH1~ySgdoAHIss3hrSwsBqGK9rlYUOXm2m9SbYWFaNbwpqVactpEkUHMNBIddfHQ7I-w3tCbKzMzRnmYup26TZtS1iIWs9h3FYxpUZxzNi1CJXmsrVBFX3XVrIugSokoSwxa-auJwqYwg-y1~ZyWNAcs2kkYZGBQMXAMRTkRMmx0qdSkNpHBQj~7NX4WHPqdQjkKVkeo7jp8FduFXq-t0IM116kt8sdqD9s8q704mHiqtX9uhqc58gnETJ3trAxrwcGBdEVgxddAjOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boston City, MA","date","2025-04-15T17:22:17.827Z","article","Boston Public Schools told the City Council it is rebuilding and expanding postsecondary pathways after pandemic setbacks, with plans to increase early college access, grow career and technical education participation and open a centralized transition program for older special‑education students.

Why it matters: Postsecondary outcomes drive graduation supports, district partnerships and program investments. Expanded early college and career pathways aim to improve college completion and workforce placement for students who historically had lower postsecondary persistence.

Key points
- Immediate college entry and recovery: Marsha (Marcia) Ennis Mitchell reported BPS immediate college enrollment at about 54% for recent graduates, down from roughly 61% pre‑pandemic; the district is awaiting 2024 clearinghouse data for updated figures.
- Pandemic impact and recovery goals: Superintendent (unnamed) said Success Boston work improved college completion rates from about 35% historically to the high‑50s before the pandemic, with an aspirational 70% goal; the pandemic then lowered those gains and the district is implementing programmatic recovery strategies.
- Early college and CTE scale‑up: The district plans to expand early college from dozens to about 1,000 students next year and expects career‑connected learning to reach roughly 4,000 students, under new secondary office plans.
- Transition and alternative programs: BPS described a planned program called NEXT for 18–22 special‑education students focused on transition training, life skills, travel training and career readiness so those students can have a cohort‑based post‑graduation pathway.

Supporting details
Ted Lombardi, the district’s high‑school superintendent, said the district has intentionally expanded access to career and technical education; he cited partnerships (including the EMK/Mass General project) that link secondary programming to regional job demand in health care and other fields. The district also reported year‑after surveys and graduate tracking work to better measure outcomes, and officials said they will continue to develop a public dashboard to show pipeline metrics from graduation through postsecondary persistence.

Quotes
- \"That enrollment rate is currently around 54 percent,\" Marsha Ennis Mitchell, on immediate postsecondary enrollment using National Student Clearinghouse data.
- \"We started out with a few, you know, like 70 students 3 years ago. We'll be upwards of a thousand students in early college credit bearing courses next year,\" Superintendent (unnamed).

What the district will do next
BPS said it is expanding alternative education, early college and CTE pathways, including targeted supports for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Officials said they will share more detailed outcome dashboards and graduate tracking results as data are compiled.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ways & Means FY26 Budget- BPS Academics on April 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Boston Public Schools described efforts to restore and expand postsecondary connections after pandemic declines—reporting a 54% immediate college‑entry rate for recent graduates, plans to grow early college and CTE participation and a new transition program for 18–22 special‑education students.","taxTitle","Boston City, Suffolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",3381,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274082,"BPS expands dual‑language programs, cites 17,192 multilingual learners and $4.5 million in targeted investment",0,4904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2994753-c747a725d1ccbd145926503efc02c600&start=4904&end=4904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2994753-c747a725d1ccbd145926503efc02c600/thumbnail_4904000.jpg","/articles/6274082/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/BPS-expands-duallanguage-programs-cites-17192-multilingual-learners-and-45-million-in-targeted-investment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274082-0b9a7a917a27e05ad25fe41dc6ccc4db/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996173&Signature=N1QRP9HWgSgM9bCzz8BVZRocmwrxjAeam4MGQyMWssAegSC-VfxBsIBwO7PoKhlMCS2aZZ-6iXZU1h1aKHTORrHq8Bbs58E2osyhw4OeaZeoR8m8s8qByyHy1aE5-Apex27a~GLrvWNK5iCHBeW~8KaqIs2LXuwrlu~AItj2p5sgjDOmcks~J52K8oNPI-IiDna9OiUkktMNEm-nLeMQ3AX3UZDeoonclcp3UOr~jg1SKgcQI8eAxaY3nx2GTzRwQ2epFrdZvsvolG14vb0XcJ1YbO2jsBHW7MiAaIOb~WnU5Vw2gm5gllngqXtWf3iNbQJj4kxrc~~d~qVqQgvH3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston Public Schools told the City Council Ways and Means Committee it is expanding dual‑language classrooms and increasing supports for multilingual learners as part of the FY26 budget process.

The district reported 17,192 multilingual learners in the system and said 4,229 of those students also have disabilities. Leaders described a targeted investment of roughly $4.5 million to expand multilingual programming, with about $1 million directed to startup supports for new programs.

Why it matters: Boston’s multilingual learner population drives staffing, curriculum and family outreach needs. Changes in program coding and staffing affect which schools can offer bilingual instruction and how families can choose language programs close to home.

Key facts from the hearing
- Enrollment and student counts: BPS reported 17,192 multilingual learners district‑wide and 4,229 multilingual learners with disabilities. The district also reported 488 students classified as SLIFE (students with limited or interrupted formal education).
- Expansion specifics and costs: BPS said it had “about 4 and a half million dollars” in the FY26 budget for expanded multilingual programs; roughly $1 million of that sum will support program startup (coaching, curriculum supports and professional learning). BALA East (an existing program site) will have a $5.5 million line in the budget, up about $725,000 from the prior year.
- Coding corrections: David Bloom, CFO, told councilors that roughly “a little bit over a hundred and $20,000,000” is spent on bilingual programs as coded historically, but that some legacy program codes labeled as bilingual were actually English‑only and are being recoded to accurately reflect programming.

District approach and family choice
BPS said new dual‑language programs will roll out gradually. The Sarah Roberts School will open a Spanish/English dual‑language program starting with K‑1 sections; Blackstone will start similarly. The district described an intention to staff with certified bilingual teachers and to grow programs year by year so cohorts move together through grades.

Quotes
- \"We're very excited about the bilingual expansion,\" Joelle Gamaire, Chief of Multilingual and Multicultural Education.
- \"We had about 4 and a half million dollars in our budget for expanded multilingual programs. About a million of it is going specifically to the programming you mentioned,\" Superintendent (unnamed).

Next steps and council questions
Councilors pressed for clearer school‑level budget tables and for assurances that new bilingual seats will be sustainable; BPS asked councilors to help publicize new options to families because dual‑language programs require community choice to sustain enrollment. The district said it will provide line‑item clarifications and more detailed enrollment projections on request.","Boston Public Schools told councilors it will expand dual‑language programming, highlighted district multilingual learner counts, and said some legacy program coding required correction to reflect true bilingual programming.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274088,"BPS details inclusive‑education rollout: service mapping, new paraprofessional role and phased expansion",2862,2039000,4901000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2994753-c747a725d1ccbd145926503efc02c600&start=2039&end=4901","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2994753-c747a725d1ccbd145926503efc02c600/thumbnail_2039000.jpg","/articles/6274088/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/BPS-details-inclusiveeducation-rollout-service-mapping-new-paraprofessional-role-and-phased-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274088-73db739b1dbe6ad9a9c054cb4d0da723/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996173&Signature=dX26mi6cUbneqsJ0GC~JxK61dj5-O1UaH8XPzOJ5k7pigeBZloGWU-lmCfLAJWKcveVS5umzkblLlgUhoUr6ZeJCxB0I2Ymw4rsRupEKt~nSZRbdu6xnKHCVbIlvRuuMbBvDbHt~laD-sNs3RYGPeZWUrlGKs-wzKTQ~vehZP9KUDv7qhwn4G7YKGP97Xp8L39N0wayTFu41~7IsN13NF7TXHeVxHGmrfdBe3zi-2Nr2K8XHSb4PuCAeFQEtTDKq9mtzB5WeZiL0Zfr2tQmwJEQ61fFfnhwT-ZIXdZ1mME6rDdrXxw6Z0GnwTy26e1wiiKWPkyB~Y7~E1H1M~R~6SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston Public Schools outlined the district’s inclusive‑education rollout and the operational steps to expand inclusive classrooms during a Ways and Means hearing on April 14.

The district said it is using a tool called “service mapping” to group students by need and align staff so that students can access services inside classrooms whenever possible. Officials also described a new special‑education paraprofessional position and other staffing changes aimed at reducing instances where students must leave class for services.

Why it matters: The inclusive‑education effort changes how students with disabilities receive services and how schools schedule and staff classrooms. The approach affects school staffing, day‑to‑day instruction, facilities and family choice about the least restrictive environment for students.

Key points
- Rollout timeline and scope: BPS said the initial rollout included kindergarten K0–K2, seventh and ninth grades; the expansion planned for the following year adds grades 1, 2, 8 and 10. The district emphasized a phased, grade‑by‑grade approach.
- Service mapping: The district’s service‑mapping process is designed to help principals and teams identify required student services, group students strategically and assign trained adults to classrooms so supports can be delivered in place rather than through frequent pull‑outs.
- Staffing and new positions: Leaders described a newly negotiated paraprofessional role for special education, additional inclusive‑education coaches and regional supports. The superintendent and staff said the contract changes and new roles will give schools flexibility to add trained adults where student‑service thresholds require them.
- School‑level variability: BPS told councilors models will differ by school based on student composition; low‑incidence schools will use resource teachers who work across classrooms while higher‑incidence schools may have dedicated grade‑level teams and permanently assigned aides.

Supporting details and council concerns
BPS leaders told councilors they will continue substantially separate programs where they remain the least restrictive environment for particular students, while also aiming to broaden options close to home and reduce long bus rides for students who previously traveled to specialized programs. Councilors asked for clearer communications for teachers and families, stronger coordination with school site councils and more visible metrics to track whether inclusion is improving outcomes.

Quotes
- \"Inclusive Ed is really about choice. It's about an ability for the parent and the student to be able to have more opportunity and access across schools,\" Superintendent (unnamed).
- \"Service mapping has really supported the technical side of that work,\" Frank Vicente, Deputy Chief of Instruction for Specialized Services.

What the district will monitor
BPS said it will track classroom composition, service delivery hours and academic outcomes while providing school leaders with inclusive‑education coaches and professional development. Officials also noted that many of the contractual and structural changes will take full effect a year after ratification, given planning cycles already underway.

Ending
Councilors said they will continue follow‑up questions in later hearings, and BPS pledged to provide more detailed implementation metrics and to continue site visits to monitor facilities and staffing needs.","Boston Public Schools outlined its inclusive‑education plan for FY26, describing service mapping tools, a new paraprofessional role, and a phased rollout of inclusion across grades while councilors pressed for staffing, space and communication details.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274093,"Boston Public Schools presents $1.58 billion FY26 plan as teachers ratify contract; City budget and federal relief still in flux",1023,290000,1313000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2994753-c747a725d1ccbd145926503efc02c600&start=290&end=1313","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2994753-c747a725d1ccbd145926503efc02c600/thumbnail_290000.jpg","/articles/6274093/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Boston-Public-Schools-presents-158-billion-FY26-plan-as-teachers-ratify-contract-City-budget-and-federal-relief-still-in-flux","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274093-50d38ad72d2a816fd2bc1a1a720c914a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996173&Signature=I6AwrFmcX5WpoQSIKKs5VnuDQMHiTsW~uyDmks5y6DT8dKK9ihpCTig4nw1AVb~tWLx7MpD9CvZIqS6yb7~mMwiVCHCmW2dSa2j~vK5nV~X0PON3a20~vw4JlxWUVII-vdHBy9bnUVdbJHg6hhsZ6i07Zkq4-3bcy~OilDDQZOMZd-eR6KIxTyPW9l7Soqxvx2QnpkINNk8Xchfw1p-XKd6aiFRfApaRxFtZqHPq3x0RrTybXwPxW9WeCteLPkNChx~2HVzZPH~wUWJHp9MJLhg9sA84GvojaBKpmbvhPpkdPQk5vR17wsfdWEHgMM9WO3yUvHiCBZSULfzwRZtpHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston Public Schools presented its $1.58 billion fiscal year 2026 spending plan to the Boston City Council Committee on Ways and Means on April 14, with system leaders emphasizing investments aimed at students with disabilities, multilingual learners and expanded secondary pathways.

The plan, which Superintendent (unnamed in the transcript) described as a “$1,580,000,000 spending plan,” was introduced as part of the council’s multi‑week budget review. The presentation came after the Boston Teachers Union voted to ratify a 2024–2027 contract; the district said the agreement includes wage increases that will “make a big difference” for paraprofessionals and ABA specialists.

Why it matters: The budget sets spending priorities that the school system and City Hall will reconcile as the council’s budget hearings continue. The contract and federal relief timing affect staffing, program continuity and whether the district can sustain recent investments made during the pandemic relief era.

Most important facts
- Superintendent (unnamed) told the committee the FY26 school budget totals $1,580,000,000 and that roughly 93% of funding is allocated “directly to student services, including school budgets.”
- The Boston Teachers Union ratified a 2024–2027 collective bargaining agreement that the district said will raise paraprofessional pay “up to a 30% increase” and ABA specialist pay “up to a 28% increase.” School Committee and the City Council will consider the contract’s supplemental appropriations, which the superintendent said total “approximately $62,000,000.”
- Chief Financial Officer David Bloom told the committee the district completed four main ARPA projects and still has about $3,500,000 in ESSER funds outstanding; state guidance, Bloom said, makes about half of that “completely safe” while about $2,000,000 remains at risk.

Supporting details and context
Superintendent (unnamed) framed the budget after two months of school committee hearings and thanked the council for prior engagement. “This budget reflects a more typical growth level of 3.5%,” the superintendent said, adding the district applied a zero‑sum approach to central budgets and prioritized funds for schools. The presentation listed priority areas that align with today’s hearing: inclusive education, multilingual learners, special education services, curricular materials and secondary pathways.

David Bloom, the district’s chief financial officer, gave details about federal relief and timing. Bloom said the district had applied for extensions on ESSER funds but ultimately spent much of its allocations before deadlines; the remaining $3.5 million in ESSER funds, he said, carries “about $2,000,000 of risk, but we think we're going to be able to work with the state on that.”

Councilors pressed the district about uncertainty at the federal level, including potential changes to Title funding and the loss of a large bilingual grant that supported paraprofessional‑to‑teacher pipelines; the superintendent called that grant loss “devastating.”

Quotes
- \"We are presenting our $1,580,000,000 spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year,\" Superintendent (unnamed).
- \"This contract includes a wage increase for all members,\" Superintendent (unnamed), describing the BTU agreement.
- \"We have about $3,500,000 of funds outstanding for ESSER... Our best guidance from the state is that half of that is completely safe... right now, there's about $2,000,000 of risk,\" David Bloom, Chief Financial Officer.

What’s next
The School Committee is expected to vote on the collective bargaining agreement, including two supplemental appropriations, on April 16; the contract and requested supplemental funds will then come before the City Council. The Ways and Means Committee will continue FY26 budget hearings through June to reconcile school requests with the mayor’s $4.8 billion city budget.

Ending note
Superintendent (unnamed) and BPS finance staff committed to returning with more detail as the council’s review continues and asked councilors and community members to use the scheduled public testimony hearings on April 22 and May 28 to provide feedback.","Boston Public Schools presented its $1,580,000,000 FY26 spending plan to the City Council Ways and Means Committee and described staffing and program priorities alongside a recently ratified Boston Teachers Union contract and lingering federal relief questions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

BPS outlines postsecondary strategy: early college growth, CTE expansion and new transition program for older special‑education students

BPS expands dual‑language programs, cites 17,192 multilingual learners and $4.5 million in targeted investment

BPS details inclusive‑education rollout: service mapping, new paraprofessional role and phased expansion

Boston Public Schools presents $1.58 billion FY26 plan as teachers ratify contract; City budget and federal relief still in flux