ERIC Number: ED620451
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Jun
Pages: 37
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
METCO Funding: Understanding Massachusetts' Voluntary School Desegregation Program. White Paper No. 251
Ardon, Ken; Hatch, Roger
Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research
METCO, the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity, enables over 3,000 mostly African-American and Hispanic students from Boston and Springfield to attend schools in three dozen surrounding communities. The program has been remarkably stable for decades, with enrollment rarely falling below 3,100 or rising above 3,300, and most suburban districts continue to participate each year. The primary funding for METCO is through a state grant. Through evaluation of data that is presented in this report, it was found that several minor changes could make the program even better. The authors recommend that the state simplify the grant formula, incorporate current enrollment figures, and publish information about Chapter 70 funds generated by METCO students. The legislature should also provide additional funds to support late afternoon transportation and cover the special education costs of METCO students. Some of these changes, such as basing the grant on current enrollment and covering special education costs, would also make it easier to expand METCO. To expand, the legislature should provide the METCO managers additional funds to cover the immediate costs of expansion and commit to providing adequate ongoing grant support for a larger program. A relatively small investment of education funds could allow the successful program to serve additional students and their families.
Descriptors: African American Students, Hispanic American Students, Access to Education, School Desegregation, Grants, State Aid, Educational Finance, Expenditures, Educational Quality, Student Diversity, Suburban Schools, Enrollment, School Choice, White Students, Racial Composition, Economically Disadvantaged, English Language Learners, Students with Disabilities, Resource Allocation, Elementary Secondary Education
Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research. 185 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02110. Tel: 617-723-2277; Web site: http://www.pioneerinstitute.org
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research
Identifiers - Location: Massachusetts (Boston); Massachusetts
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A