Overview

• A MassINC and Worcester Regional Research Bureau report finds low-income students and students of color are nearly twice as likely as white students to attend schools in poor condition.
• Researchers identify 276 schools rated well below average or severely overcrowded, about 60% in Boston and Gateway Cities, estimating roughly 50 years to rebuild at the current pace versus as few as 16 with prioritization.
• From 2015 to 2024, suburban districts received 57% of invitations to the MSBA Core Program despite representing 43% of schools, while Boston and Gateway Cities hold 32% of schools but got under 19% of invites.
• Urban districts face lower effective reimbursement than statutory rates due to cost caps and unreimbursed expenses such as swing spaces, with real rates about 20 points below their nominal 80% compared with 12 points below a 55% average in suburbs.
• The report calls for more MSBA funding, policy changes to account for higher urban costs, permission for combined school–community projects, and development of regional magnet schools, drawing support at a State House briefing.