* Teacher Recruitment and Retention: A major focus is on attracting and retaining high-quality teachers, often through competitive salaries, improved working conditions, and professional development opportunities.
* Curriculum and Instruction: B.E.S.T. involves implementing a more rigorous and engaging curriculum, often aligned with college and career readiness standards. This might include new instructional materials, updated teaching methods, and improved assessment strategies.
* School Leadership: The program emphasizes strong school leadership, providing training and support for principals and other school administrators to effectively manage their schools and create positive learning environments.
* Community Engagement: B.E.S.T. often includes efforts to build stronger partnerships between schools and the wider community, recognizing the important role families and community organizations play in student success.
* Student Support Services: This aspect focuses on providing students with the necessary supports they need to succeed, such as mental health services, tutoring, and other wraparound services.
In short, B.E.S.T. is a multifaceted reform effort aiming to create a more equitable and effective school system in Baltimore City. It's not a single program with a singular definition, but rather a framework guiding a broad range of initiatives.