Based on my experience as a METCO parent, supporter, and administrator, I’ve always said: “METCO students don’t ask if college is in their future, they ask where they will go to college.” Now we have independent research confirming that METCO students have firm expectations of college attendance and that those expectations are fulfilled successfully.

On Jan. 16, parents, educators, and policymakers gathered at The Boston Foundation to hear Dr. Elizabeth Setren, assistant professor of economics at Tufts University, present her findings – based on an examination of 20 years of data – on the impact of the METCO program on students and their suburban peers.

The independent study found the program has a large, positive effect on METCO students’ educational achievements and careers, with no sign of negative academic or behavioral impacts on their suburban peers.

Key findings include: Substantial gains in Math and English Language Arts MCAS test scores; a high school dropout rate of 1 percent and a graduation rate of 94 percent; increased school attendance despite the long distances; increased SAT scores; increased college aspirations, enrollment, and graduation rates; increased income and employment, and more.
Following the presentation, a panel of six distinguished METCO alumni spoke of the difference the program has made in their lives. These graduates are now public officials, private sector managers, educators, authors, and entrepreneurs. Two hold doctoral degrees.

Dorchester resident and state Rep. Christopher Worrell, who graduated from Lincoln-Sudbury High School in 2004, was there. His brother, City Councillor Brian Worrell, is also a METCO grad, along with their big sister Monique. Rep. Worrell’s two children are METCO students in the Newton Public Schools. He told the audience how the research findings resonated with his METCO program experience, noting how that experience made him more comfortable in majority-white spaces, including Beacon Hill.

“Because of METCO, I know what the world looks like outside of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan,” said Rep. Worrell. “My METCO experience opened my eyes… it shed light on different cultures.”

The research also provided important recommendations that will guide METCO policy and practice moving forward, including preparation and access to more advanced classes; additional SAT classes; targeted supports with the college application process, and more.

Several suburban school districts want to expand METCO enrollment at their schools, and we are working with state legislators to increase METCO funding to make that possible. The research findings shown earlier confirm that every additional METCO student is a win-win for the Commonwealth. We are heartened by Gov. Healey’s State of the Commonwealth message supporting educational initiatives like METCO and by our longtime supporters in the Legislature.

Increased funding will also allow METCO to continue and expand its critical antiracism work via its Antiracism Roadmap, supported in 2022 with pilot funding from the Commonwealth and providing for unprecedented racial equity and integration initiatives throughout the METCO community.

That program is identifying antiracism best practices, completing annual assessments to identify gaps, empowering districts to implement strategic antiracism initiatives, training educators on restorative justice practices, and much more.
We are grateful to Dr. Setren for her tireless commitment to bringing to life 20 years of data surrounding the historic METCO program. We also thank the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and other state agencies for making the research data available.

This ground-breaking study confirms for all of us that METCO is a program that works! Right now, METCO is accepting applications for enrollment in the 2024-25 school year. Please visit metcoinc.org/apply or call 617-427-1545 to learn more.

Milly Arbaje-Thomas is the president and CEO of METCO, Inc.