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If New Bedford had its renaissance, it happened because of education. Or if New Bedford has yet to undergo its renaissance, it will rely on education for the metamorphosis. Whatever you believe about this city or its direction for the future, the education news of this year likely has shaped it.
The past year saw both devastating blows to the city and transformative plans for its future. Some of the news came from the public school district — the city’s largest employer, the largest expense in its budget, and the economic engine of its future. Other news came from the largest public institution on the South Coast, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
2024 in Review
The public schools’ newly-released plans might suggest the best days are yet ahead. A strategic document outlines how the schools could bring hundreds of millions of dollars in state aid to transform some of the oldest schools in Massachusetts into some of the newest and most impressive. Already one of those projects is underway.
Others say the rejuvenation happened already, like when State Sen. Mark Montigny attributed “the city’s astounding arts and cultural renaissance” to the Star Store. That quote, however, came from a 2022 column in The Light announcing the senator’s intention to “keep [the] arts college in New Bedford.” Only 12 months later, residents would learn that Montigny’s dealmaking had failed when students were told to evacuate from the building and, it turned out, from the city altogether.
This year, the Star Store lease was called “flawed from its inception and … a waste of public funds,” in a report from the state’s Inspector General. Readers saw this report, which did not attempt to claw back any wasted public money or issue any accusations of fraud, as the final nail in the coffin for the arts program in the city.
“While a ‘scathing report’ is better, I suppose, than nothing,” one reader commented, “nothing is, in fact, what students are left with.”
Education stories also illuminated trends across the city, from housing to the addiction crisis, and gave clues into how young people are preparing for an uncertain future. Here are other stories that shaped education news in New Bedford.
Students meet the future we’ve made
The experience of going to school has changed. At New Bedford High School, students have a new entry procedure this year that includes passing through metal detectors and underneath a new fleet of security cameras.
Being inside the schools has changed, too. At this time last year, according to students, cell phones were a ubiquitous presence, even among teachers. After experimenting with new phone policies over the summer, two middle schools have begun piloting new programs that lock away phones during the day.
And what schools are like could be shaped by the neighborhood where students live. Ten schools, including public and charter schools, were designated as “segregated” in a new report this year.
A former state official who oversaw integration efforts told The Light that the “state took its eye off the ball” when it comes to segregation. Schools Superintendent Andrew O’Leary said that New Bedford “should learn from the past” in a letter published in The Light. The report found that schools across the state were “doubly segregated” by income and race. Further analysis from The Light found that different neighborhoods within New Bedford created schools with vastly different outcomes, teachers, and students.
Growing up here also means that children must deal with whatever plagues the grown-ups. School counselors told The Light this year that every child in New Bedford, by virtue of going to school in the city, checks enough boxes to be considered “at risk” of substance abuse, and a new counseling program helps intervene with students in area middle schools to help them make better choices.
Still no new librarians
Almost a full year after The Light’s report on the decline of school libraries — and the accompanying profile of the last librarian in New Bedford schools — the district has not hired any new librarians.
After The Light found that nearly 10,000 students in New Bedford’s 23 elementary and middle schools did not have access to a library or librarian, O’Leary took part in a panel discussion moderated by The Light’s Jack Spillane. Alongside librarian advocates and New Bedford High’s librarian, O’Leary said a history of underfunding from the state did not make school libraries “sustainable” but that new library investments are now planned.
The Light’s report also found that former library space inside Normandin Middle School was turned into a detention center where students spend their in-school suspensions.
Readers had strong responses to this story, and wrote about their memories of when New Bedford High had multiple libraries spread across wings of the building.
Schools meet deadline for COVID dollars
The infusion of $74 million into New Bedford Public Schools from the federal government came with one major caveat: the money would go away if it didn’t get spent soon. After years of putting these dollars to work on new capital projects, the district found itself racing to meet the deadline.
When The Light reported on the district’s progress in March and early September, some projects were still outstanding — including contracts for a school-based health center.
But by the September deadline, district officials said they had “landed the jumbo jet.” The last contracts had been signed, and any remaining funds were put toward teacher salaries. Not a dime needed to be returned.
MCAS reform and what it takes to graduate
Across the state, one of the biggest education stories of the year was Massachusetts voters’ decision to remove the 10th grade MCAS tests as a graduation requirement. In November, 59% of voters approved a ballot proposal to get rid of it.
New Bedford was one of the most decisive cities against the MCAS requirement, with 69% voting for removal.
The Light’s special report on the MCAS question found that roughly 40% of New Bedford students could not pass the MCAS on their first try in a recent year. More than 80% of English learners could not pass the test on their first try. And more than a quarter of special education students were never able to pass the test.
The Light held a Community Conversations event that brought together leading advocates to share their perspectives on the MCAS question. Attendees listened to a robust debate and posed their own questions, helping to inform how they would vote.
Schools know the true cost of the housing crisis
As the housing crisis in New Bedford continued, The Light’s reporting uncovered how local residents were affected. While city-wide data did not see major increases in the overall count of homeless residents, the schools captured a shocking rise in homelessness and were busy responding.
A broader definition of homelessness that includes “doubled up” families — those staying temporarily on the couches or floors of friends and family — revealed record levels of student homelessness in New Bedford Public Schools. More than 1,300 students in the city, or about 10% of kids in the public schools, were homeless.
In a follow-up article, The Light chronicled how charter schools were failing to respond to the homelessness crisis, potentially exacerbating the effects in the traditional public schools.
Other year-defining education stories
Many other stories this year helped readers understand what’s happening inside area schools. Here are more stories you shouldn’t miss.
- ‘Are Voc-Tech admissions still unfair?’ — After accusations that admissions to Voc-Tech are discriminatory, The Light checked in on progress toward a new approach.
- ‘The students the reading wars forgot’ — Learning to read in New Bedford must take account of students’ home languages. Here’s how New Bedford is innovating on a national debate.
- ‘Mass. schools affected by Moms for Liberty lawsuit’ and ‘How Moms for Liberty got to Rochester’ — National culture war issues arrived in Massachusetts, and The Light was first with the story. Plus, the behind-the-scenes account of how parents’-rights advocates gained a foothold on the South Coast.
- ‘New Bedford has more homeschoolers than anywhere in Massachusetts’ — New Bedford’s homeschooling rate accelerated while other cities saw declines from pandemic-era peaks. The Whaling City had more homeschoolers than anywhere else in Massachusetts — including much larger cities like Boston or Worcester.
2024: The year in review
The Light’s reporters dig into the top stories of 2024, noting what the developments could mean for the coming year.
- Thursday, Dec. 26: Grace Ferguson examines the housing crisis and New Bedford’s response to the critical need for affordable shelter.
- Friday, Dec. 27: Columnist Jack Spillane revisits the Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento’s vote to allow female “festeiras” after more than a century of excluding women from planning roles.
- Monday, Dec. 30: Anastasia E. Lennon details the triumphs and setbacks in the offshore wind industry.
- Tuesday, Dec. 31: Education reporter Colin Hogan digs into the top developments in public schools and higher education.
- Wednesday, Jan. 1: Reporter Arthur Hirsch notes the changes voters brought, from new state legislators to President Donald Trump’s second term.
- Thursday, Jan. 2: Environmental reporter Adam Goldstein chronicles the effects of climate change and environmental developments in 2024.
Email Colin Hogan at chogan@newbedfordlight.org
"Editor's Note: Corrections were made to this story on Jan. 17, 2025. A summary of Superintendent Andrew O'Leary's comments about school libraries was updated to include remarks on planned investments. An estimate of removed library books was deleted after school officials said it was not accurate. A quotation regarding segregation was clarified that the state "took its eye off the ball," not "the schools."
Removing the MCAS graduation requirement, an extremely low hurdle for a high school student, makes a high school diploma a meaningless piece of paper that employers will discount when hiring for any entry level positions.
A high school diploma is now a “participation trophy” that does not reflect any level of achievement and removes any incentive to attempt to improve one’s education for those that might have been motivated by a standard such as the MCAS.
Obviously, time will be the arbiter of this development.
However, for me, a high school diploma, from a school with a history of low achievement on prior MCAS testing, will not factor into any hiring decisions at this time.
Removing the MCAS graduation requirement will free up teachers to teach, not gamble.
Face it a high school diploma in the NBPS system today is just like getting a get out of jail free card in a Monopoly game. Students don’t have to achieve anything, they’ll still get that piece of paper, many can’t read when they graduate or do math. Real good job NBPS, disgusting.
Should employers look for employees with high school diplomas.
In New Bedford, are they likely to be better employees?
How can the problem be fixed?
How much will it cost.
“many can’t read when they graduate or do math.”
It’s New Bedford.
~10% of of the graduating class of NBHS are accepted at at our nation’s top 200 colleges and universities.
As for the rest, the teachers just can not make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
NBPS is an accurate reflection of the City of New Bedford.
What you have done about your concerns is disgusting.
Useless pounding of a keyboard.
MAGA – Project 2025
It’s good to know stupid decision for the remaining COVID dollars were spent on teacher salary increases, that way, when there are no salary increases in the following years, you can tell them to wait for the next pandemic, or more likely, increased property taxes in the city, that has become the norm.
When people are crying about the $2,000 per month rent costs, remember the 3-6 new public schools New Bedford that property tax payers funded for your 2 or 3 children, what a waste of money.
Dear Taxpayer,
New Bedford has underspent on school buildings for decades.
Are our teachers currently overpaid?
New schools are a waste of money?
All school funding.
New Bedford gets more state money per student than any ot he city in the state. Towns get almost nothing.
Education of students n schools less than 40 years old is a waste of money.
Dol you have any kids in school?
Are you old?
I am 78, kids have always bullied, it’s human nature, see Donald Trump.
It’s 2025 how many clocks have faces?
Printing is much easier to read than “writing”
That is why books are printed and not “written”.
I have always “printed” my signature.
In 2025, what is the value of cursive?
Some kids today, can run three dimensional spreadsheets.
In 2025, the basics are not cursive and being able to read analog clock faces.
Things are just not the same as they were when you will were a kid. Things will never be that good again.
Donald Trump prints…
Albert, Hmmm 10% are accepted at top colleges, leaving 90% can’t read or do math when graduating. Looks like you are not so good with math. What happens when calculators run out of batteries? What happens when the electric goes out and computers can’t run. Buying a home requires a signature. Many establishments have clocks with faces. Perhaps at age 78 you are blessed to be the king of opinions. All you can do is comment and not like when others comment. Too bad. Freedom of speech. Stop bullying others who place comments. As for “A taxpayer” you speak your peace. Don’t let Albert bully you.
Meaning that New Bedford schools do a fine job of education, considering the feed stock.
It’s 2025 we use computers.
When the computers go out everything stops. Think Air Traffic Control. Your bank.
It’s 2025, signatures are electronic.
It’s 2025, why do clocks still have faces?
Those clocks are usually inaccurate.
I have been blessed with opinions throughout my life. You have just given your opinion of me.
I like to see comments. I like to to see what others are thinking, do you?
Some comments I like , some I do not.
My comments are freedom of speech, don’t like them, too bad.
I am a taxpayer (we all are, envy the illegals?
I do not allow Anonymous to bully me.
PO
Albert, as of July 2024, 24 states reintroduced cursive writing back into the curriculum.
It’s pretty bad when there’s a clock in a school gym with a face and a kid asks you what time is it. Answering, it’s right up on the wall, they answer but what time is it. Answer 2:20, the kid answers, what’s that mean.
A 2 yr old can run a cell phone and a tablet and can graphically creat spread sheets, it does not mean they have the knowledge of what they are doing. Growing up my friends at age 16 had to quit school to work in factories, to help the
family financially. ( Trump has indicated he wants factories back in the US.) They later returned and went for there GED. No matter what field a child chooses, basic math is an absolute necessity. Home budget. As for cursive writing, a extra precaution for identity theft. Let’s show some common sense here. Everyone has a right to comment. Everyone don’t have the right to be mean, you also Next you’ll be telling people which way to put the toilet paper roll on the holder. Your opinion is your opinion, stop mashing the keyboard with your ignorant remarks, last I new we have freedom of speech and it’s a free country.
Will cursive writing Make America Great Again?
Cursive should be taught in schools, in art classes.
Less than 10% of writing today is done with pen and pencil.
Should keyboards be cursive?
That analog clock up on the wall is usually inaccurate, and difficult to adjust.
Is it showing AM or PM, hard to tell. Check your digital watch.
Two year old’s can create meaningless spreadsheets.
“Trump has indicated he wants factories back in the US.” You want your kids to be factory workers?
“As for cursive writing, a extra precaution for identity theft.” pure piffle.
Modern graphics can accurately reproduce cursive.
Everyone has the the right to mean, It’s a First Amendment Right. See Trump and his so sad name calling.
As to toilet paper rolls, one way is more sanitary than the other, which do you use?
Please stop mashing the keyboard with your ignorant remarks!!!
You do have the Right.
Trump is product of the 1950s, pre digital computers, he does not understand the ‘new’ technology.
Trump wants to take us Back to the Future, for Christ’s sake, it’s a movie.
The universe will continue evolve, God Damn it!
Evolution is a one way street.
America will never as be as great as it was. It will be different. Better or worse is in the eye of the beholder.
Has racism improved since the1950s?
Should we go Back the Future?
Fully segregated schools?
Albert, You need to be a NBPS employee to see the non supervision in some schools. Swift school students are well behaved, KMS students are well behaved. NMS prior July 1, 2024 were out of controll. Students were passed on to High School, under achievers. Not knowing basic math skills or how to read a faced clock. Students that were trying to learn couldn’t because many others were out of control. 10% going to colleges is great, 90 % unable to have basic skills is disgusting. Look at the spreadsheets and see how many kids are failing. Your comment on Trump, do you see him as the bully or the one bullied. Things are only going to get worse as you stated it will never be the way it was. You get respect by showing respect. Why is the way to do math now different. Parents can’t help their children, the teachers won’t accept the old method. Who was the brilliant one that made that change. Maybe if the were allowed to just show they did the math and how they got the correct answer more kids would pass.
50% go onto some kind of post high school tanning .
10% go to ‘good’ colleges and universities.
It’s 2025, why do clock faces still exist, outside of museums?
“Your comment on Trump, do you see him as the bully or the one bullied.” Have you seen Trump’s comments?
“Why is the way to do math now different”
Technology continues to evolve.
Why should teachers accept the old methods?
Employers do not.
“Who was the brilliant one that made that change.”
The well educated, scientists engineers and teachers.
More kids would pass if they could understand the principles of modern math. Arithmetic is just not enough in 2025.
“Modern Math” is over 60 years old, almost an antique.
Should Boolean Algebra not be taught in New Bedford schools? Too modern?
Maybe if they dumbed down math more kids would pass. But not get well paying jobs.
Nothing should be taught in NBPS that was not taught in the 1950’s?
Those kids will not be getting into college. Or getting well paying, interesting, jobs.
Great job to the students of Whaling City. You should be proud. Graduating class of 2024, this may be late, but heartfelt.
Only a few schools in New Bedford are performing well. Look at the facts, it’s all online. Rating in the 13000 range out of 15000 range for the HS is nothing to be proud of. Many of the other schools are bottom ranked. They can’t keep staff. The administration does not support employees.
Few parents in New Bedford are performing well. It takes a village.
“Many of the other schools are bottom ranked.” Like so much of New Bedford. Silk purse….
The employees do not support our administration .