The Weekly Recap
News and Updates from Across BU Wheelock SPACE This Week
Welcome to this week’s recap! This week we share community updates, provide details on faculty engagement, and highlight news mentions and recently published research.
New Announcements
Second Legislative Education Hearing: The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Education held its second public hearing of the legislative session, focusing on legislation related to school buildings, education funding, and technology and data systems. A significant portion of the testimony centered on proposed reforms to Chapter 70, the state’s primary education funding formula. The Committee heard from advocates, educators, and community members from across the Commonwealth, who offered both written and oral testimony. Learn more and watch the recording of the hearing here.
Out and About
Boston Public Library: Mary Churchill (Assoc. Dean, SPACE) and Maria Arruda (Director, BU Center for English Language and Orientation Programs) attended the Boston Public Library (BPL) Fund’s annual Morning Brew conversation, moderated by BPL President David Leonard. The panel featured Vic Acosta (Jewish Vocational Services), Jess Elias (Boston Public Library), Monique Tú Nguyen (Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement), and Jerry Rubin (Harvard’s Project on the Workforce/Eastern Bank Foundation), who discussed how the BPL and its partners are integrating English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services with workforce development to support immigrant communities and advance social equity.
Boston Latin Academy: Cara Mattaliano (Asst. Director, SPACE) visited Boston Latin Academy (BLA) to attend a presentation by Adrian Bautista, a BLA senior and intern with the BU Wheelock SPACE Office through the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). Adrian shared the book he co-authored during his PIC summer internship with the school’s middle school counselors and Head of School Gavin Smith, presenting each counselor with a copy.
Allston-Brighton: Cara Mattaliano (Asst. Director, SPACE) attended Allston-Brighton Community and School Leadership Institute at Brighton Marine alongside Cecilia Nardi (Director, BU Government Affairs). Hosted by the Center for Collaborative Action—led by Oscar Santos—the event convened cross-sector partners from Allston-Brighton to explore the development of a comprehensive pre-K–16+ system of support for local youth. During the gathering, Cara and Cecilia connected with key stakeholders, including Michael Contompasis, a consultant on the initiative; Dan Cuddy, Director of Government and Community Relations at Brighton Marine; and other community members.
Faculty Engagement
World Language Podcast: Catherine Ritz (Clinical Asst. Professor, BU Wheelock) joined Joshua Cabral on the World Language Classroom podcast to discuss teaching grammar for proficiency in the world language classroom. Listen to the episode featuring Catherine and her co-author Mike Travers here.
Scholars Strategy Network: Mary Churchill (Assoc. Dean, SPACE) was named co-leader of the Boston chapter of the Scholars Strategy Network (SSN), a nonpartisan organization that connects researchers with policymakers, journalists, and civic leaders to inform public policy and strengthen democracy. Learn more about Boston SSN here.
In the News
Trump’s budget threatens Mass. English learner, college transition programs, The Boston Globe, (BU College Access and Student Success Executive Director Mike Dennehy featured), May 14, 2025.
Harvard and MIT boost federal lobbying spending amid Trump administration scrutiny, Boston Business Journal, (Assoc. Dean Mary Churchill featured), May 12, 2025.
The Surprising Ways That Siblings Shape Our Lives, The New York Times Magazine, (Assoc. Professor Josh Goodman featured), May 6, 2025.
Boston Latin Academy senior publishes college prep book for middle school students, CBS NEWS, (BU SPACE Office intern Adrian Bautista featured), May 12, 2025.
Research That Matters
Meaningful Collaboration: Equal Ground: Meaningful Collaboration with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families of Children with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (co-authored by Assoc. Professor Zach Rossetti)
Published in the special issue Collaboration in Special Education: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going? of the Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, this critical review examines the ongoing challenges in building meaningful partnerships between school personnel (e.g., teachers, consultants) and culturally and linguistically diverse families of children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). Despite decades of research and increased attention, systemic barriers, adversarial dynamics, and expectations of advocacy—rather than genuine participation—persist. The authors explore the gap between the ideal of culturally responsive family-professional collaboration and the lived realities shaped by cultural mismatches and hierarchical school structures. Grounded in a lifespan perspective and informed by both research and first-hand experiences shared through testimonials, the article offers concrete examples and structural recommendations to strengthen family-school partnerships and improve outcomes for children with I/DD.
Updates in U.S. Higher Education
International Students in MA: The Boston Indicators brief, Brain Gain: International Students in Massachusetts, examines the critical role international students play in the state's higher education system and broader economy, while highlighting the risks posed by recent federal immigration policies. Researchers found that international students contribute significantly to the state's economy, adding an estimated $3.9 billion in 2023 through direct spending, and a decline in enrollment could lead to major budget gaps for colleges by 2026. Losing this talent pipeline not only impacts immediate revenue but also jeopardizes the state's standing in innovation sectors and the future generation of researchers, entrepreneurs, and neighbors who contribute to the economy and culture. Read the brief here.
Upcoming Events
May 20 - A Mapping of Workforce Assets and Needs. The Boston Foundation, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and Boston University invite you to the release of A Mapping of Workforce Assets and Needs: Massachusetts IECMH. This new research highlights both strengths and barriers within the early relational health workforce, providing a foundation to inform policy and advocacy aimed at strengthening workforce infrastructure. The presentation will feature Alicia Mendez and Ruth Paris from Boston University’s Institute for Early Childhood Wellbeing, Aditi Subramaniam from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and Jenny Zhang from Boston University. Register here.
📅 Date: May 20th, 2025
🕒 Time: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
📍Edgerley Center for Civic Leadership at The Boston Foundation, 75 Arlington Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA