The Boston Public Schools' Student Assignment Process Case Study Analysis
There are many different steps in the Boston Public Schools' Student Assignment Process. It is important to understand what each one of them are and how they are all related to the other. By understanding what each step is, you can ensure that you are doing the most effective job possible.
Problem Statement
The Boston Public Schools' student assignment process is not without its problems. However, in its defense, the school district is already in the process of making changes. Its latest report is just the latest in a long line of improvements.
While the new assignment system has its own merits, there are plenty of other challenges facing Boston's schools. Some of the most pressing concerns include transportation and special education. Earlier this year, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released a study pointing to persistent deficiencies in the Boston schools. In addition to poor test scores, the state report also identified a number of other issues.
To be fair, Boston's computerized assignment system was created in an attempt to reduce segregation. Unfortunately, many minority students are assigned to low-quality schools. This has resulted in a situation where some of the city's highest performing schools are located in predominantly white neighborhoods.
In a recent survey of Boston public schools, about a third of students attended schools in the bottom ten percent of the state's overall rankings. And while the new system will help increase access to high-quality schools, the algorithm is not perfect. Despite the best intentions, Boston's assignment system has been found to be mismatched with the preferences of families.
MIT researchers claim there is no technical barrier to creating an equitable assignment system. They suggest that the most logical way to ensure all students have the same chance of getting a seat at a high quality school is to assign seats based on each student's preferences and priorities.
Case Study Solution
The Boston Public Schools (BPS) student assignment process is a big issue for the average family. Not only does it affect the bottom line, but it also undermines the trust parents have in the system. To improve the system, the School Committee must make a decision, then implement a change. For students with more than one option, the algorithm must be redesigned to make it more transparent.
A well conceived case study may be the best way to go about this. These can be done as teams, or individually. Students will need to develop an understanding of the problem and the solution. Some of the key elements include a statement of the case, data tables, images, and a description of the problem.
One way to test the theory is to compare the current BPS student assignment process with the new algorithm. If the new method trumps the old, the School Committee will be in a better position to determine the merits of a new scheme.
The BPS student assignment process uses an algorithm to find the best school for each student. This includes the "Gale-Shapley Deferred Acceptance Algorithm," which assigns seats based on a student's preferences and priorities.
The system is further enhanced by a strategy-proof algorithm, which reduces the potential harm to families who don't use the system. It doesn't change the outcome of the assignment process, however.
Porters Five Forces
The Five Forces Model was developed by Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter. It is a tool that allows businesses to analyze competitive forces within an industry.
Porter defined five competitive forces that businesses need to understand in order to be successful. They are buyer power, cost, supplier power, market entry barriers, and industry rivalry.
Buyer power refers to the demand for higher quality products. Companies can use a variety of strategies to meet this demand. These strategies include advertising, extending customer service, lowering prices, and developing new products.
Economies of scale refer to the reduction in the unit cost of production. This enables businesses to produce more products, thereby increasing profitability.
Market entry barriers are the costs that companies must pay to enter a new market. Businesses must also consider the risk of being unable to compete effectively. In addition, they need to determine if their target market is reachable.
Industry rivalry is the competition that is already present in the industry. Companies have to deal with negative reactions from existing firms.
Supplier power is the power of a company's suppliers. If a company has a good relationship with a supplier, it can influence the price of that product. However, if a supplier is too large, the business can suffer because of low profits.
Porter's Five Forces model has been influential in analyzing the structure of an industry. While it helps companies define their strategy, it is not the only method used.
PESTLE Analysis
As a parent, I want to see my child assigned to the school that best serves her needs. This is important because her behavior has gotten out of control. She is now losing valuable time to learn the skills she needs.
Boston Public Schools has a student assignment process, which allows students to trade seats with other students. It is also based on an algorithm that assigns seats based on a random number of student priorities. But this process has become more complicated than it appears.
Boston recently completed an assessment of the ABA consultation program. In addition to the individualized education program, Boston will also offer a dedicated 1:1 aide. However, Boston must propose a different program to better address the Student's behavioral deficits.
While the incremental approach has helped address some of the Student's behavioral deficits, it is not likely to provide long-term solutions to the Student's dangerous and unhealthy habits. A more targeted program, like a private day school, is needed to meet the student's educational needs.
During the course of the assessment, the Hearing Officer bifurcated the case into two categories. One category is an expedited issue. The issue was framed in a June 4, 2013 order, and it addressed the Student's safety in the current program.
The other category is a non-expedited issue. Boston's data on Student's behavior indicates that the problem continues to persist.
Financial Analysis
The Boston Area Research Initiative has completed a financial analysis of the Boston Public Schools' student assignment process. The study found that the most effective method of staffing classrooms with effective teachers is by having smart personnel policies.
In addition, the district has made progress in improving human capital policy over the past decade. This includes a new school-based assignment system. But a full-service schools approach is needed to turn around persistently underperforming schools. It also provides mentoring and youth development, academic support, and health and family services.
There are many ways to measure the effectiveness of a teacher. For example, the SAT is a good measure of a teacher's success on a licensure exam.
However, it's not easy to determine if a teacher's performance is the best way to maintain a job. Some districts, such as Granite and Jordan, Utah, have taken steps to punish teachers who fail to meet performance standards.
The Boston public school system has hired nearly two thirds of its new teachers from elite undergraduate institutions. While this may be a measure of the strength of these institutions, it doesn't necessarily mean that the teachers are more effective.
To make sure that a student is assigned to an effective teacher, it's wise to create a student assignment plan that is equitable and transparent. Boston has some work to do to ensure that this is the case.
Recommendations
The Boston Area Research Initiative (BARI) has found that the Boston Public School's student assignment process is unnecessarily restrictive. It is preventing many minority students from having access to high-quality schools. They recommend that Boston adopt a more equitable assignment system.
An important function of a school district is staffing classrooms with effective teachers. A successful personnel policy involves careful balance between the needs of the community and the operational requirements of the school. In a city like Boston, with a low population density and a large number of students, the need for service exceeds the capacity of the district.
As a result, Boston's work years for teachers are shorter than the ones in other urban districts. For instance, Boston teachers work 182 days per year. This means they are on site for 30 minutes longer than the average American student's school day.
To reduce the segregation of students, the school district has implemented a computerized school assignment system. Although the system has proved useful for this purpose, it has also raised concerns.
Boston's practice of convening school officials for a single meeting is not well implemented. Instead, a closed-door meeting should occur later in the hiring season.
Boston should consider awarding teachers in more challenging schools with higher pay. This would reduce the need to lay off more young teachers.
Teachers should be offered a two-thirds remediation plan before they can be terminated. Among the reasons to give students a chance to succeed are teacher conferences, peer assistance, and teacher development. Teacher conferences are important for establishing classroom procedures, setting goals, and sharing resources.
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