Public Education
Promoting educational opportunities that foster civic engagement as well as physical and psychological wellness among Boston Public School students
The Boston Public School system is, arguably, the institution with the most profound effect on the lives of Boston’s youth.
Over 70% of the 56,388 youth who attend BPS are low-income and more than 85% are minority, with over 40% African American and 35% Latino
Test scores for Boston’s schools still lag behind those statewide, and the drop out rate for BPS is 10% – three times the rate for Massachusetts as a whole
For minority and low-income youth, the school completion rate is much worse; 2 in 5 students will require more than four years to complete high school, and 1 in 5 will drop out before graduation – more than 700 teens each year*
In the Jamaica Plain and Roxbury neighborhoods, ninety percent of school-aged children are enrolled in Boston Public Schools**. Ensuring that these youth receive a high quality of education is vital to creating a better future for them, their families, and our community.
Hyde Square Task Force’s YCOs are pursuing two campaigns around public education:
The Campaign for Civics in Boston Public High Schools
A campaign for a civics curriculum that prepares students to be politically aware, involved, and engaged in bettering our society
Since the 1970’s, civics has not been a requirement for Boston Public High School students. By advocating for mandatory civics classes for all 11th and 12th grade students enrolled in Boston Public Schools, the Hyde Square Task Force youth believe BPS high school students will be empowered with the knowledge, resources and tools to be able to understand their rights and responsibilities as members of a society.
The civics campaign began in 2003 and was inspired by an editorial written by HSTF youth leader Maria Padilla that was published in the Boston Globe.
In the spring of 2007, our Youth Community Organizers worked with Councilor Chuck Turner to put the issue before the Boston City Council by drafting a hearing order—the first youth-written hearing order in the city’s history. The hearing was held in fall 2007 with the purpose of exploring the possibility of adding civics as a required class in all BPS high schools. Several HSTF youth testified about their positive experiences and the need for increased civic engagement of young adults through a mandatory civics curriculum. This hearing was attended by over 200 youth, parents, and community members. Among these were representatives from 15 different community organizations, many of whom testified as well. The hearing was recessed, and is scheduled to resume in December 2007, to continue further exploration of including civics in the BPS. Read more about this work on our Civics Fact Sheet.
“I always hear that we, the youth, are the next generation of leaders, but how can we become such leaders if we are being deprived from learning how to take on such important roles in society? Without a civics class we will be doomed to repeat history.” – Stephany Trinidad
Wellness Initiative
An initiative to include sexual health, sexual harassment education as well as nutrition and fitness education in the Boston Public Schools
The Wellness Initiative evolved out of HSTF’s Campaign to End Sexual Harassment. In dealing with the issue of street harassment, our youth discovered that unwanted sexual advances were part of the daily experience of many Boston Public High School students. In 2006, the Youth Community Organizers worked with two sociologists, one from Northeastern University and another from Boston College, to survey over 500 BPS students. The results showed:
80% of students said they had been sexually harassed during school hours
49% had been touched, grabbed or pinched
39% had been brushed against in a sexual manner
25% were blocked or cornered in a sexual way
In June of 2006, these results were released at a well attended press conference at the State House. Immediately following the youth presentation, the Mayor’s Office pledged the City’s support to work with the youth, and BPS released a statement addressing the issue. State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez also spoke at the press conference and pledged his support for the youth.
Through their work on the issues of sexual harassment and sexual health , the youth of HSTF also became aware that physical and health education in general were being neglected during school hours. With the help of Dr. Mariana Gerena Melia, youth worked to create another survey-- this time to measure the opportunities for physical activity available to BPS students. The results were unmistakable. Out of 500 students,
Over 50% said they do not attend physical education (PE) class
Only 44% of students who are required to take PE classes actually participate in the class
By a 5 – 1 margin, Dance and Martial Arts together are preferred alternatives to traditional PE class
HSTF youth believe that the best way to address these emergent health issues is through a curriculum that holistically speaks to all of them. The Hyde Square Task Force has already developed its own models to increase well-being in the community – namely our Learn Thru Dance (LTD) program for elementary school students and our Health Careers Ambassadors Program (H-CAP). HSTF youth are now interested in implementing a school-based, holistic wellness program that combines a similar dance program to that of LTD, sexual health and sexual harassment education, and education regarding nutrition and fitness.
To accomplish this, our youth and staff are working to develop a pilot Wellness Curriculum that can be adopted by Boston Public Schools. HSTF participants will continue to raise awareness of this campaign through the media, by meeting with city officials, and by collaborating with other community organizations interested in promoting wellness among all Boston youth.
* According to the Civil Rights Project at Harvard University
** According to a demographic analysis by the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation
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