METCO Marks 60 Years of Expanding Educational Opportunity in Massachusetts

Despite the state's top national ranking, experts say inequality remains a challenge in public schools.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:04am

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METCO, the voluntary desegregation program that has connected Boston students with suburban school districts across Massachusetts for 60 years, continues to play a vital role in expanding access and opportunity, even as the state ranks #1 nationally for public education. While Massachusetts boasts impressive test scores, education leaders acknowledge deep, persistent achievement gaps that METCO aims to address through its unique integration model.

Why it matters

METCO has been a pioneering civil rights initiative, helping to integrate some of the Commonwealth's most racially isolated suburban communities. However, experts argue that education inequality remains a complex challenge that requires a 'broader, bolder system' of support from 'cradle to career' - going beyond just academic performance to address the full range of economic, social, and emotional factors that impact student success.

The details

METCO CEO Dr. Kandice Sumner recently spoke at an event at Roxbury Community College, encouraging Boston families to sign up for the program's lottery system that matches students with one of 33 partner school districts across Massachusetts. While the state ranks #1 nationally in public education, former state Education Secretary Paul Reville notes that 'behind the averages... were deep, persistent achievement gaps' that METCO aims to address through its integration model. Reville sees METCO as a 'pilot' that 'points the way to a solution' for inequality, even if it doesn't solve the problem entirely on its own.

  • METCO was founded in 1966.
  • METCO will celebrate its 60th anniversary on May 1, 2026.
  • Massachusetts was ranked #1 in the nation for public education in 2025 according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

The players

Dr. Kandice Sumner

CEO of METCO, the voluntary desegregation program that has connected Boston students with suburban school districts across Massachusetts for 60 years.

Paul Reville

Former Secretary of Education under Governor Deval Patrick and founding director of the Harvard Graduate School of Education's EdRedesign Lab, who has spent decades studying and shaping education policy in Massachusetts.

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What they’re saying

“All you've got to do is be a Boston resident. Sign up on our website and enter the lottery... and we can match a student and family with one of our 33 fantastic districts.”

— Dr. Kandice Sumner, CEO, METCO

“We've got the number one ranking in the country—and we're proud of that. And yet, behind those averages... were deep, persistent achievement gaps.”

— Paul Reville, Former Secretary of Education, Founding Director of Harvard's EdRedesign Lab

“METCO is a very significant and appropriately lauded civil rights initiative. It's profoundly affected lives.”

— Paul Reville, Former Secretary of Education, Founding Director of Harvard's EdRedesign Lab

What’s next

METCO will be celebrating its 60th anniversary with a special event on May 1, 2026, honoring the program's founders. The event will be co-chaired by Ronnie DeVoe, singer with the group New Edition and BBD.

The takeaway

Even in a state that leads the nation in public education, METCO remains a vital program for addressing deep-rooted inequalities in the education system. As experts argue, solving these challenges requires a holistic, community-based approach that goes beyond just academic performance to support students' full range of needs from 'cradle to career'.