A new report from the Worcester Regional Research Bureau details how the Worcester Public Schools fiscal year 2023 budget will use funds from the Student Opportunity Act to close disparities in outcomes and experiences among low-income students, English learners, and students of color.
Between the fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2027, the Student Opportunity Act will provide an additional $15 million a year to Worcester Public Schools, for a total increase of roughly $90 million a year over pre-Act levels, the Bureau’s Investing in Excellence: Worcester Public Schools FY23 Budget report said.
The district is currently in the second year of the Student Opportunity Act phase-in.
One of the requirements for the implementation of Student Opportunity Act funds includes the creation and implementation of renewable plans.
“These plans require each Massachusetts school district to submit a three-year, evidence-based plan aimed at closing disparities in outcomes and experiences among low income students, English learners, and students of color,” the report reads.
According to the report, Massachusetts law requires each district to make measurable progress toward each of its program choices and to regularly reevaluate its goals, metrics and progress as funding increases each year. Districts are also required to engage with families and the larger community in the planning and implementation process of their programs.
The Worcester Public Schools chose to implement the following four renewable plans:
- Expanding preschool with the aim of increasing early literacy and improving third-grade reading achievement
- Expanding early college programming
- Diversifying Worcester educators, through an emphasis on pipeline programs that will allow Worcester Public Schools to support homegrown educators
- Focusing on social-emotional learning and increasing staff to support those programs and students who have experienced trauma
A full breakdown of the new budgeted initiatives as part of the Student Opportunity Act for the fiscal year 2023 can be viewed below.
WPS FY23 Student Opportunity Act budget initiatives (Worcester Regional Research Bureau)
