CommonWealth Beacon executive editor Michael Jonas talks with reporter Jennifer Smith about a series of stories parsing the sprawling Trump tax and spending bill. They discuss why it’s so hard to know if Opportunity Zones have been effective, and why affordable housing advocates are mixed on the administration’s approach to low-income renters.
receivership
Posted inThe Codcast
Reconsidering school receivership
CommonWealth Beacon executive editor Michael Jonas joins reporter Jennifer Smith to trace the last decade in state takeovers of local school districts. The results, as Jonas has reported, are a far cry from a silver bullet to fix struggling schools.
Posted inEducation
State review slams Boston schools
A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED new state review of the Boston Public Schools paints a picture of a system in deep disarray, where some of the problems identified in a state report […]
Posted inEducation
When schools aren’t delivering, state has duty to intervene
I’VE OFTEN, and recently, heard arguments that state intervention in school districts is an assault on democracy, even racist. I disagree. Access to literacy is a fundamental right and foundation […]
Posted inEducation
Oversight of Lawrence schools shifting to state-appointed board
EDUCATION OFFICIALS UNVEILED the next chapter in state oversight of the Lawrence schools on Wednesday with the announcement that the state receiver, Jeff Riley, will be stepping down at the […]