A group of moms in one Massachusetts public school district faced criticism for questioning the influence of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) on local education, but now the district itself is changing course.
Carey Goldberg, a contributing writer for Globe Ideas, penned a detailed opinion piece about how three mothers in a wealthy Boston suburb faced public backlash for speaking out against left-leaning school policies. The trio, all Democratic Party voters, began questioning policies in the Newton public school district in 2022.
“At first, we were just trying to understand the drastic changes that occurred while students were out of school during COVID,” Vanessa Calagna, one of the mothers, told The Globe writer. “It was like trying to piece together a puzzle. And then we wanted to sound the alarm.”
These changes included a focus on racial equity and anti-racism, with a commitment to “dismantle structures rooted in racism” and achieve “more equitable outcomes for all students.” One controversial initiative involved combining students into “multilevel” classes, where students of varying levels learn together in subjects like math and science.
Despite facing backlash, the trio and their allies launched a petition in 2022 to create an advisory panel giving parents a voice on academic issues. Initially condemned for their questioning of school policies, such concerns are now gaining more mainstream acceptance.
The Newton Public School district is reportedly now rethinking its approach, with teachers openly rebelling against multilevel classes. Efforts are underway to create distinct levels and restore parent trust in the schools.
Superintendent Anna Nolin acknowledged the need to address parent skepticism and is working on initiatives to help parents understand the district’s plans better. The school’s motto, “Equity & Excellence,” is being replaced with “Where All Children Thrive” to signify a shift in focus.
