Brockton – (Massachusetts) – PAR YVES CAJUSTE – Dr. Priya Tahiliani, the interim Superintendent of Brockton Public Schools, hosted a community forum for families of elementary school students on Monday, September 9, 2024 at Brockton High School.
In her presentation, Dr. Tahiliani shared her personal journey as an English learner, which deeply influenced her passion for education. Growing up in a household where English was not the primary language, she faced challenges in school but credited her success to dedicated teachers who supported her throughout her academic journey. This experience shaped her belief in the importance of equitable education, especially for multilingual learners, and inspired her to pursue a career in teaching and educational leadership.
The forum highlighted the Brockton Public Schools’ commitment to providing equitable access to rigorous instruction and celebrating the district’s diversity. Dr. Tahiliani praised the district’s vision, which aligns with her own educational philosophy, and emphasized that literacy is a key priority. “Reading is a civil right,” she stated, underscoring the district’s five-year goal to achieve 90% proficiency in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math. This ambitious target aims to equip students with the skills necessary to succeed academically and socially.
Dr. Tahiliani detailed the instructional priorities for pre-K to fifth-grade students, with a particular focus on building foundational literacy and math skills. She stressed the importance of using complex texts and encouraging critical thinking, especially for multilingual learners and students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The goal is to close achievement gaps while promoting academic growth. “We want our students to become critical thinkers and learn how to reason through problems,” she explained.
To support families in understanding what their children are learning, Dr. Tahiliani introduced resources available on the Brockton Public Schools website. These include family guides to the curriculum frameworks, available in multiple languages, to ensure that all parents can stay informed and engaged in their child’s education. Additionally, she encouraged families to promote reading at home, emphasizing that reading in any language is beneficial for children’s literacy development.
Dr. Tahiliani also highlighted the district’s Character Strong curriculum, which focuses on building students’ social-emotional learning competencies. She commended the district for prioritizing students’ emotional well-being, with a focus on teaching them to be strong, kind, and well. These values, she noted, are integral to creating a supportive learning environment where students can thrive both academically and emotionally.
In closing, Dr. Tahiliani reinforced the importance of family engagement in the educational process. She encouraged parents to actively communicate with their child’s teachers and school leaders, noting that families are their children’s first teachers. She provided practical advice on how parents can support their children at home, from encouraging independence to engaging in conversations about their school day.
Dr. Tahiliani’s community forum set a positive tone for the school year, with a clear focus on collaboration, equity, and academic success. Her personal story and professional dedication resonated with the few parents in the audience, reflecting her deep commitment to ensuring that every student in Brockton Public Schools has the opportunity to succeed.
Were in attendance last night at this forum, two members of the Brockton School Committee , Vice-Chair Tony Rodrigues (Ward 4), Judy Sullivan (Ward 5), Ivelisse Caraballo Executive Director of CPLAN (Collaborative Parent Leadership Action Network) and several BPS staff : Sharon Wolder, Deputy Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, Dr. Karen Spaulding, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning Grades (preK-5), Jami Langley, Associate Director of Exceptional Learning (formerly Special Education) and Dr Soraya Presume Calixte, Parent engagement specialist for the district.
While BPS announced the date of this forum close to a month in advance, the BPS website, and other channels, the community forum was noticeably under-attended by parents. Was hosting the meeting on a Monday a good choice for busy families? Could it have been scheduled too early in the school year, before families had settled into their routines? Additionally, with the meeting scheduled at 5:30 pm, was this time convenient for working parents, especially those who commute from outside the city? These factors may have contributed to the low turnout, prompting a need for the district to reconsider how it can better engage parents in future forums. To increase participation, Brockton Public Schools might explore alternative days, more flexible times, or virtual options that accommodate parents’ schedules. Addressing these logistical challenges could lead to stronger family involvement, a critical component for achieving the district’s ambitious goals.
