>> BRAUDE: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON:" THE FOURTH HIGHEST-RANKING DEMOCRAT IN THE HOUSE, MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESSWOMAN KATHERINE CLARK, IS NOW UP FOR THE NUMBER TWO SPOT AMONG DEMOCRATS.

SHE JOINS ME ON HER ASCENT TO POWER, WHAT HER PARTY LEARNED FROM THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, AND WHAT'S THE "DANGEROUS AGENDA" SHE FEARS THE NEW REPUBLICAN MAJORITY HAS IN MIND.

THEN LATER, BLACK STUDENT ENROLLMENT IN BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS PLUMMETED IN THE PAST TWO DECADES-- NOW CLOSE TO HALF WHAT IT WAS IN 2002.

THAT DROP INCLUDED TWO OF EDUCATION ADVOCATE LATOYA GAYLE'S CHILDREN.

SHE JOINS ME, ALONG WITH JAY BLITZMAN OF MASS ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN, ON WHAT'S GOING WRONG AT B.P.S., AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO FIX IT.

(MUSIC) >> BRAUDE: MY NEXT GUEST HAS SERVED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR LESS THAN A DECADE.

BUT IN THAT TIME, CONGRESSWOMAN KATHERINE CLARK HAS MANAGED TO CLIMB UP TO THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP IN HER PARTY.

BACK IN 2018, SHE WAS ELECTED VICE CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.

IN 2020, SHE BECAME ASSISTANT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

AND NOW, WITH THE IMMINENT REPUBLICAN TAKEOVER OF THE HOUSE, SHE'S RUNNING TO BECOME THE SECOND MOST POWERFUL DEMOCRAT: PARTY WHIP.

CONGRESSWOMAN CLARK JOINS ME NOW.

FEES TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> Braude: CONGRATULATIONS SORT OF IN ADVANCE.

SO THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN CELEBRATING THE ABSENCE OF A RED WAVE IN THE MIDTERMS, BUT THERE IS A RED MAJORITY COME JANUARY.

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU THINK THE VOTERS ARE SENDING.

>> I THINK THEY REJECTED EXTREMISM.

WE SAW EVERY ERECTION DENIER LOSE THEIR RACE, AND I THINK WE SAW WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SAY THAT ABORTION MATTERS, HEALTHCARE MATTERS, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT MATTER, AND THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE IS AN ECONOMIC ISSUE AT ITS HEART.

AND, ALSO, YOU KNOW, YOUNG VOTERS SAID CLIMATE MATTERS.

SO I THINK THERE IS A BLUE PRIPT FOR THE FUTURE THAT IF WE CONTINUE OUR WORK, FOCUSING ON THE AMERICAN FAMILY AND MAKING PROGRESS FOR THE CHALLENGES THAT FACE THEM, WE WILL BE BACK IN THE MAJORITY IN 24:00.

>> Braude: WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU THINK TRUMP WAS SENDING THE OTHER NIGHT WHEN HE HAD AN AVOWED PROUD ANTI-SEMITE AT DINNER PLUS A WHITE NATIONALIST, HOLOCAUST DENIER, HITLER LOVER?

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU THINK IT SENT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> THE SAME MESSAGE HE HAS BEEN SENDING, IT IS ABOUT HIS POWER, THE POWER OF THE G.O.P.

AND THEY'LL TAKE IT FROM WHEREVER THEY CAN.

IF THAT MEANS EXTREMISM, WHITE SUPREMACIST, DIVIDING TURNING NEIGHBOR AGAINST NEIGHBOR, THEY ARE FINE WITH THAT?

>> Braude: IN YOUR LETTER TO YOUR COLLEAGUES URGING THEY VOTE FOR YOU FOR THE NUMBER TWO, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE DANGEROUS AGENDA OF THE REPUBLICANS IN THE MAJORITY.

WHAT IS THE DANGEROUS AGENDA YOU FEAR?

>> I FEAR THEY WILL ROLL BACK PROGRESS.

I FEAR THERE WILL BE A NATIONAL PORGS BAN.

>> Braude: WHICH WOULD NEVER PASS THE SENATE NOR BE SIGNED BY JOE BIDEN, CORRECT?

>> WELL, EXACTLY, AND THANK GOOD NEWS WE HELD THOSE MAJORITIES AND THAT WE HAVE JOE BIDEN IN THE WHITE HOUSE BECAUSE THAT IS THEIR VISION IS A NATIONAL ABORTION BAN THAT WOULD MAKE PLACES LIKE MASSACHUSETTS NO LONGER SAFE AND RELIABLE FOR WOMEN.

THEY WANT TO TAKE AWAY SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE IN ORDER TO PAY FOR A SO-CALLED BALANCED BUDGET.

>> Braude: I KNOW RICK SCOTT TALKED ABOUT THAT, THE GUY WHO WANTED TO BE THE NEW MITCH McCONNELL, BUT DO YOU THINK THE AVERAGE REPUBLICAN IS READY TO GET RID OF SOMETHING THAT OLDER VOTERS, MANY OF WHOM WHO VOTE REPUBLICAN, CONSIDER TO BE THEIR RIFELINE?

>> I THINK YOU WILL SEE IT.

I THINK IT IS PART OF THE DEAL THAT KEVIN McCARTHY IS MAKING IN ORDER TO BECOME SPEAKER.

SO I THINK YOU WILL SEE PROPOSALS DRAMATICALLY CHANGE AND CURTAIL THOSE PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: SPEAKING OF KEVIN McCARTHY, FORGET THE LUNATICS, YOU KNOW THESE PEOPLE, DOES KEVIN McCARTHY BELIEVE THIS CRAP ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION, WHEN HE BENDS AT THE KNEE TO SALUTE DONALD TRUMP, THIS IS ALL ABOUT PERSONAL ADVANCEMENT.

IT'S NOT ABOUT BELIEF, IS IT?

OR AM I MISSING SOMETHING?

>> I HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT WHAT HE BELIEVES BECAUSE IT IS ALL ABOUT HIS OWN POWER AND HAVING THE TITLE OF SPEAKER.

HE HAS LED THE HOUSE OVER THE PAST YEARS HE'S BEEN MINORITY LEADER WITH OBSTRUCTION.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE STANDS FOR.

AS I LOOK ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IT'S NOT JUST DEMOCRATIC FAMILIES THAT ARE HAVING A HARD TIME AFFORDING HEALTHCARE.

IT'S NOT JUST DEMOCRATIC FAMILIES THAT ARE WORRIED ABOUT CLEAN AIR AND CLEAN WATER.

THESE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE ACROSS OUR COUNTRY, ACROSS REPUBLICAN FAMILIES, AND KEF KV NEEDS TO ADDRESS THEM.

>> Braude: ONE ISSUE THAT CONCERNS YOU, I KNOW A LOT OF YOUR FELLOW DEMOCRATS MENTIONED, IS THIS DESIRE OR THE INTENTION TO INVESTIGATE HUNTER BIDEN.

HERE'S THE GUY WHO'S GOING TO READ THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, CONGRESSMAN COMBER SPEAKING ABOUT THIS THE OTHER DAY.

HERE HE IS.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE SPOKEN WITH WHISTLE BLOWERS IN NUMEROUS SCHEMES WITH THE BIDEN FAMILY, RULING OUT WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE WILL BE THE COMMON GOAL OF THE REPUBLICAN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

AS SUCH, THIS INVESTIGATION WILL BE TOP PRIORITY.

>> Braude: I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS.

THE FACTS, HUNTER BIDEN MADE $50,000 A MONTH FROM A UKRAINIAN ENERGY COMPANY, WHILE HIS FATHER, AS VICE PRESIDENT, WAS INVESTIGATING CORRUPTION.

WHY ISN'T IT APPROPRIATE TO LOOK INTO WHETHER OR NOT THE MONEY WAS ILL GOTTEN, WHETHER HE GOT THE BENEFITS OR OTHER THINGS, TOO, AS A RESULT OF THE INFLUENCES OF HIS FATHER.

ISN'T THAT A LEGITIMATE THING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO KNOW?

>> WHAT IS LEGITIMATE IS PUTTING THE NEEDS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST.

THIS IS ABOUT POLITICAL THEATER AND DISTRACTION, AND MORE TOOLS TO DIVIDE US AND COURTING THE CRAZY CULTURE OF THE FAR RIGHT AND EXTREMISM IN THE G.O.P.

I MEAN, LET'S JUST ROOK BACK TO THE LAST CONGRESS, AND THE REERPD THAT THEY -- AND THE LEADERSHIP THAT THEY SHOWED, THE INFRASTRUCTURE P BILL, SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY, ROADS, BRIDGES, BROADBAND, GREEN GOOD JOBS, 13 VOTES.

>> Braude: JUST 13 REPUBLICANS.

>> THIRTEEN REPUBLICAN VOTES.

>> Braude: YEAH.

THE GUN VIOLENCE BILL THAT WAS ACTUALLY BIPARTISAN IN THE SENATE, REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE AND ZERO VOTES IN THE HOUSE.

>> Braude: A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS RUSHING BEFORE REPUBLICANS TOOK OVER TO DO THE BEST THEY CAN, OBVIOUSLY RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT, A TERRIFIC ADVANCEMENT -- BY THE WAY, WHAT THE YOUR REACTION TO MITCH McCONNELL WHO, AS FAR AS I KNOW, IS IN AN INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE VOTING AGAINST CODIFYING INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES AND L.G.B.T.Q.

SAME-SEX MARY ELLENS?

WHAT WAS YOUR -- MARRIAGES?

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN YOU HEARD THAT?

>> IF HE WON'T STICK UP FOR HIS OWN FAMILY HOW CAN WE EXPECT HIM TO TAKE US FORROUS.

>> Braude: FROM NANTUCKET, AND I KNOW YOU LED THE SIT-IN WITH CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS ON GUNS IN 2016, YOU HEARD THE PRESIDENT SAY, FROM NANTUCKET, IT MAY BE A LONG SHOT, HE STILL WANTS A DEAL WITH ASSAULT WEAPONS BEFORE THE REPUBLICANS TAKE OVER THE HOUSE.

THAT'S A VIRTUAL NON-POSSIBILITY.

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S FINE IN THE HOUSE WITH A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY, NO CHANCE OF PASSING THE SENATE, RIGHT.

>> WE'VE ALREADY PASSED IT IN THE HOUSE.

WE NEED TEN VOTES IN THE SENATE.

>> Braude: NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> I DON'T SEE IT.

>> Braude: HOW ABOUT CODIFYING ROE?

IMPOSSIBLE IN THE SENATE AGAIN, CORRECT?

>> AGAIN, THE SENATE HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO OBSTRUCTION IN OPPOSING THESE THINGS AND, WITH A FILIBUSTER, IT IS A OFF0-PERSON MAJORITY AND THAT IS A HARD LIMIT TO REACH.

>> Braude: YOU WERE WITH CONGRESSWOMAN PRESLEY AT THE SUPREME COURT AROUND THE ABORTION DISCUSSION.

WERE YOU ARRESTED.

>> IFS.

>> Braude: WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?

AN INTERESTING PHONE CALL FROM MY HUSBAND WANTING TO KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING AND WOULD I BE ABLE TO COME HOME THAT NIGHT.

>> Braude: DID THAT REALLY HAPPEN?

>> THAT REALLY DID HAPPEN.

BUT IT'S MORE ABOUT THAT WE SIMPLY CAN'T LET THE CLOCK GET TURNED BACK, AND WOMEN IN THIS COUNTRY UNDERSTAND IT, AND AS WE SEE THE STORIES, JIM, THAT ARE COMING OUT OF TEXAS ABOUT THE REAL DECISIONS THAT DOCTORS ARE HAVING TO MAKE WITH PATIENTS THAT ARE ENDANGERING WOMEN'S LIVES BECAUSE OF THE LAWS THAT THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE HAVE PASSED, THIS IS A REALITY FOR FAR TOO MANY AMERICANS THAT THIS FUNDAMENTAL PRIVATE CHOICE IS NOW SOMETHING THAT IS DECIDED IN OUR STATE HOUSES AND STATE CAPITOLS INSTEAD OF WITH OUR DOCTORS, FAMILIES AND OUR OWN FAITH.

>> Braude: SO WHEN THE DEMOCRATS REGAIN CONTROL OF THE HOUSE, ASSUMING THE SENATE'S IN DEMOCRATIC CONTROL, TOO, LARRY TRIBE AND FORMER FEDERAL JUDGE NANCY GERTNER HAVE BEEN HERE REGULARLY, THEY SAT ON THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON REFORM OF THE SUPREME COURT, THEY BOTH WENT IN SUPPORTING TERM LIMITS AND LEANING AGAINST EXPANSION OF THE COURT.

THEY CAME OUT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION PRIMARILY BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION FOR TERM LIMIT, SOME PEOPLE AGREE BUT NOT FOR EXPANSION.

IS THERE ANYTHING SOON TO BE LEADER OF THE DEMOCRATS SUPPORT IN FORM OF REFORM?

THESE TRUMPEES ARE IN THEIR FORTY AND 50s AND WILL BE HERE FOR A LIFETIME.

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THAT OTHER THAN DO FUNDAMENTAL REFORM TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE SUPREME COURT?

>> I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERY SINGLE POSSIBILITY, AS WE LOOK AT A SUPREME COURT THAT HAS BECOME VERY ACTIVE AND, FOR THE FIRST TIME, I BELIEVE, IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY, ROLLED BACK RIGHTS IN THE DOBBS DECISION.

WE SO OFTEN HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT RIGHT GOING FORWARD IN THE WAY WE SHOULD, BUT THIS IS REALLY UNPRECEDENTED THAT WE TOOK AWAY 50 YEARS OF A RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FROM WOMEN.

SO, WITH THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO REMAIN OPEN TO LOOKING AT ALL KINDS OF POSSIBILITIES AND KEEP WORKING TO GET THE MINORITY BACK.

>> Braude: I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED YOUR PIECE IN THE GLOBE, I THINK IN FEBRUARY, ABOUT YOUR OWN MISCARRIAGE AND THE PROCEDURE TO REMOVE FETAL TISSUE WAS A BRAVE AND IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEBATE AND I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED IT BEFORE AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

>> WELL, AND I'M SORRY THAT THAT HAS BECOME A REAL CONCERN FOR SO MANY WOMEN IN THIS COUNTRY.

WHEN I WROTE IT, I HOPED THAT WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED.

>> Braude: OF COURSE.

UT HERE WE ARE TODAY WHERE THOSE FUND MENTAL MEDICAL DECISIONS ARE BEING TAKEN AWAY AND OUT OF THE HANDS OF WOMEN, AND THAT THE WHAT WE ARE UP AGAINST, THAT'S WHAT I MEAN BY A DANGEROUS AGENDA.

>> Braude: REST TALK ABOUT YOU FOR A MINUTE.

MODESTMODESTY ASSAYED, WHAT DOES IT MANE TO THE STATE TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE YOU AS THE NUMBER TWO DEMOCRAT?

>> LET ME TELL YOU, EVERY SINGLE DAY AS I PULL OPEN THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, I AM SO PROUD TO BE FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

WE ARE THE CENTER OF INNOVATION AND PROGRESS.

LOOK AT THE A.C.A.

MODELED AFTER OUR HEALTHCARE LAW.

WE'RE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY IN MARRIAGE EQUALITY, BUT WE ALSO FACE TREMENDOUS CHALLENGES THAT OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY DO AS WELL, LIKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOW WE WORK ON OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, HOW WE CONTINUE TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE AND BUILD A GREEN ECONOMY WHERE EVERYONE CAN BEN GIT.

>> Braude: BUT WE'LL DO BETTER ON ALL THOSE FRONTS BECAUSE YOU'RE IN LEADERSHIP, WILL WE NOT?

THAT IS THE REALITY, IS IT NOT?

>> WELL, I CAN TELL EVERY SINGLE MASSACHUSETTS FAMILY THAT THEY COME AND SIT WITH ME AT THE LEADERSHIP TABLE, AND WHEN YOU ARE SITTING AT THAT LEADERSHIP TABLE, YOU WERE ABLE TO STEER THE CONVERSATION AND THE POLICIES, AND IF IT WORKS FOR HERE IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, IN THE COMMONWEALTH AS A WHOLE, IT'S GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY.

>> Braude: HERE IS SOMEONE YOU'RE PRETTY CLOSE TO, NANCY PELOSI, ANNOUNCING SHE'S STEPPING DOWN FROM LEADERSHIP, THIS IS NOVEMBER 17th.

HERE IS SPEAKER PELOSI.

>> WITH GREAT CONFIDENCE IN OUR CAUCUS, I WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION TO DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP IN THE NEXT CONGRESS.

FOR ME, THE HOUR HAS COME FOR A NEW GENERATION TO LEAD THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS THAT I SO DEEPLY RESPECT.

>> Braude: OKAY.

SO HAKEEM JEFFRIES AS THE REARED, YOU AS NUMBER TWO, AGO LA FROM CALIFORNIA IS NUMBER TREE.

DID SHE PUT THIS TROIKA TOGETHER OR HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT?

>> FIRST, REST PAUSE AND TAKE NOTE OF SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI.

>> Braude: SHE DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB, RIGHT?

>> SHE IS AN ICONIC SPEAKER AND IS GOING TO GO DOWN AS THE SPEAKER OF THE AGES AND WHAT SHE DID WAS HELP BREAK THE MODEL BY BEING THE FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD THE HOUSE AS SPEAKER.

>> Braude: YOU'RE THE SECOND EVER TO BE IN AS HIGH A POSITION.

I'M SURE YOU DON'T NEED ME TO TELL YOU THAT.

YOU KNOW THAT.

>> BUT SHE ALSO HAS ENCOURAGED US TO DEVELOP OUR OWN LEADERSHIP STYLES.

>> Braude: DID SHE PICK THE THREE OF YOU?

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW.

DID SHE SAY TO THE MEMBERS QUIETLY OR OTHERWISE, THESE ARE THE THREE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE LEADING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE HOUSE?

>> YOU KNOW, WE REALLY CAME TOGETHER AS A PARTNERSHIP THAT HAS WORKED OVER THE YEARS.

HAKEEM JEFFRIES AND I STARTED WORKING TOGETHER IN 2018.

HE WAS WORKING ON MESSAGING, I WAS WORKING ON RECRUITING CANDIDATES.

>> Braude: WHY ARE YOU NOT AT THE TOP OF THAT?

WHY IS IT HAKEEM JEFFRIES WON AND KATHERINE CLARK TWO?

WHY IS IT NOT KATHERINE CLARK ONE AND JEFFERIES TWO.

>> IT IS ABOUT THE WORK.

WHAT I SEE IN THE WHIP POSITION IS CONTINUING THE WORK I'VE DONE, PUTTING PEOPLE TOGETHER WITH SOLUTIONS, BUILDING CONSENSUS AND DRIVING US FORWARD, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE COMMITTED TO AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S SO EXCITING ABOUT WORKING WITH THIS TEAM AND WITH THE DEMOCRATS AS A WHOLE.

>> Braude: DON'T YOU FEEL A HUGE -- I MEAN, DON'T YOU FEEL A COLOSSAL BURDEN?

I MEAN, YOU'RE IN THE MINORITY, TOO, SO, OBVIOUSLY, YOU'VE GOT TO STOP WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE A DANGEROUS AGENDA.

I KNOW IT'S AN HONOR AND YOU WILL SAY THAT, BUT IT'S A PRETTY HEAVY BURDEN, IS IT NOT, CONGRESSWOMAN?

>> IT'S A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY, AND THE REASON THAT I WANT TO BE PART OF THIS IS BECAUSE I FEEL THAT, AS THOMAS PAYNE SAID, THE TIMES HAVE FOUND US, AND THIS IS A MOMENT OF TRANSITION FOR DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS, BUT IT'S ALSO A MOMENT WHERE OUR COUNTRY IS GOING TO DECIDE WHICH PATH WE TAKE, AND I HOPE TO BE PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC PUSH FOR DEMOCRACY, FOR LIBERTY AND EQUALITY.

>> Braude: OKAY.

SO, GENERALLY, THE THINKING IS -- I'M NO EXPERT ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, BUT YOU DON'T WANT A POPE LOOKING OVER YOUR SHOULDER, AND THERE'S A POPE AND AN EX-POPE.

AS MUCH AS I HEAR THINGS AS IT'S GREAT TO HAVE A SKILLED HAND LINE PELOSI AND HOYY AND CLYBURN AROUND, IT'S INTENSE TO HAVE THE MOST POWERFUL SPEAKER IN RECENT HISTORY STILL THERE AS A RANK IN FILE MEMBER.

I FOE YOU HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR NOT CONCERN, NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT AT ALL, HER HUGE PRESENCE?

>> I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THE SPEAKER UNDERSTANDS THERE'S ONE SPEAKER, ONE LEADER AT A TIME, AND SHE HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT SHE IS THERE TO HELP, TO GUIDE, IF WE WANT AT VICE TO GIVE IT, BUT SHE ALSO IS LETTING US CHART OUR OWN COURSE.

>> Braude: TWO LAST THINGS.

I AM A GREAT ADMIRER OF PELOSI BUT, TO BE CANDID, I THOUGHT SHE 45 TO GO PRIMARILY BECAUSE HAVING THREE OCTOBER GENARIAN DEMOCRATS LEADING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS A MISTAKE, THERE WILL BE A GUY WHO IF EWERE TO RUN FOR ELECTION JOE BIDEN WILL BE IN HIS MID EIGHTH.

YOU SAWED YOU WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED PELOSI IF SHE SOUGHT SPEAKER LEADERSHIP POSITION AGAIN.

WILL YOU SUPPORT JOE BIDEN IF HE RUNS FOR PRESIDENT AGAIN.

>> I WILL.

>> Braude: EVEN IF HE'S WELL INTO HIS YOUNG '80s?

>> I WOULD BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO TOGETHER AND HIS VISION FOR THIS COUNTRY.

>> Braude: BEFORE YOU GO, THE THING I LEFT OFF THE LIST YOU'RE GOING TO DO, I'M A HUGE BELIEVER IN PERMANENT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME.

YOU ARE, TOO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Braude: IT PASSED THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY.

ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE THIS A LAW BEFORE YOU BECOME THE MINORITY.

>> WE'LL DO THE BUDGET FIRST BUT RIGHT AFTER.

>> Braude: RIGHT AFTER, RIGHT.

>> Braude: WISH YOU A LOT OF LUCK.

KATHERINE CLARK, NEXT UP.

NEXT UP, IT'S NO SECRET THE BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS STRUGGLING.

IT NARROWLY AVOIDED A STATE TAKEOVER EARLIER THIS YEAR, AFTER THE DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION FOUND IT FAILED TO MEET A SLEW OF IMPROVEMENT GOALS SET AFTER THE LAST STATE PROBE INTO THE SYSTEM.

IN A SCATHING REPORT, THE DEPARTMENT, ALSO KNOWN AS DESE, DESCRIBED A SYSTEM THAT HAS "FAILED TO EFFECTIVELY SERVE ITS MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS, CARRY OUT BASIC OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS, AND ADDRESS SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO PROVIDING AN EQUITABLE, QUALITY EDUCATION."

THAT'S DESPITE A LOTTERY-LIKE ENROLLMENT PROCESS THAT FACTORS IN WHICH SCHOOLS STUDENTS WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND.

IT WAS IMPLEMENTED BACK IN 2014 IN AN EFFORT TO GIVE PEOPLE ACROSS THE CITY "ACCESS TO QUALITY SCHOOLS CLOSER TO HOME."

BUT, OVER THE YEARS, STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THE LOTTERY SYSTEM HAS MISSED THE MARK, WITH BLACK AND LOW-INCOME FAMILIES OFTEN PLACED AT A DISADVANTAGE.

IT'S NO WONDER BLACK STUDENT ENROLLMENT HAS PLUMMETED, ACCORDING TO NEW DATA PUBLISHED BY THE "BOSTON GLOBE," DROPPING BY NEARLY HALF IN JUST THE LAST TWO DECADES, WHILE THE BLACK STUDENT POPULATION HAS SURGED AT LOCAL CHARTER SCHOOLS.

AND TO MANY FAMILIES WHICH FEEL FAILED BY THE SYSTEM, IT'S NOT JUST A MATTER OF INCOMPETENCE BUT INTENTION.

AS ONE LOCAL BLACK MOTHER, AND EDUCATION ADVOCATE TOLD THE "GLOBE": "TO ME, IT SPEAKS TO WILL.

YOU CAN DO GREAT THINGS, BOSTON: BUILD A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE SEAPORT; BURY A HIGHWAY TO CREATE THE GREENWAY; BUT WHEN IT COMES TO B.P.S., YOU CHOOSE NOT TO."

I'M JOINED NOW BY LATOYA GAYLE, FOUNDER AND FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BOSTON SCHOOL FINDER, A WEBSITE THAT HELPS FAMILIES CHOOSE BETWEEN ALL KINDS OF BOSTON SCHOOLS.

SHE'S ALSO THE MOTHER OF FOUR KIDS, TWO OF WHOM HAVE ATTENDED BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

I'M ALSO JOINED BY JAY BLITZMAN, RETIRED MASSACHUSETTS JUVENILE COURT JUSTICE, NOW INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MASS ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN.

>> JUDGE AND LATOYA GAYLE, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

S FOR HAVING ME.

>> Braude: LATOYA GAYLE, IF I CAN START WITH YOU, MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU HAD TWO KIDS WHO WENT TO BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL, MOVED TO CHARITY SCHOOLS.

YOU HAVE A THIRD IN THE SYSTEM AND SAY WHEN THE STUDENT MOVES FURTHER IN THE SYSTEM YOU'RE LIKELY TO TAKE THAT STUDENT OUT AND MIGHT NOT EVEN ENROLL YOU ONE-YEAR-OLD.

WHY?

>> RIGHT.

WELL, LIKE I SAID, MY OLDEST IS A SOPHOMORE IN CLEM, AND, SO -- IN COLLEGE, SO I DON'T SEE MUCH CHANGE IF PHI BETWEEN WHAT MY SECOND GRADER IS EXPERIENCING VERSUS WHAT MY CHILD HAS COMPLETED K-12 IS EXPERIENCING.

I KNOW PEOPLE SAY THINGS LIKE, YOU KNOW, CHANGE TAKES TIME, BUT WHOSE TIME?

MY KIDS DON'T HAVE THAT TIME AND I DON'T HAVE THAT TIME, SO I'M NOT GOING TO WASTE IT.

>> Braude: YOU SAID TO ONE OF MY CO-WORKERS IN ADVANCE COMING ON THAT YOU HAD GOOD FEELINGS ABOUT THE TEACHERS IN THE SCHOOLS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Braude: SO IF IT'S NOT THE TEACHERS, WHERE'S THE HOLE IN THE SYSTEM THAT NEEDS FILLING?

>> HERE'S THE THING --ETH A SYSTEM THAT IS DUB -- IT'S A SYSTEM THAT'S UNDERRESOURCED.

I KNOW PEOPLE SAY THIS ALL THE TILE, I KNOW HOW TO DO LOTS OF THINGS BUT CAN'T DO THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY.

I KNOW HOW TO WORK WITH A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, I HAVE A CHILD WHO IS ON AUTISM SPECK THERUM, BUT -- SPECTRUM, BUT I CAN'T SERVE THAT CHILD AND TEN OTHER KIDS COMING INTO THE CLASSROOM WITH A HOST OF FEEDS THAT CAN'T BE MET -- YOU KNOW, IT'S UNDER-RESOURCED FROM MONEY BUT ALSO PEOPLE, WE NEED PEOPLE.

>> Braude: THE SHAW FAMILIAR RIFOUNDATION DID A POLL OF BOSTON BLACK PARENTS AT THE END OF THE SUMMER WHERE THEY'D SEND THEIR KIDS IF THEY HAD A CHOICE.

THIRTY-SIX% CHARTER, 125% PRIVATE, MEANING 61% NOT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ONLY 34% PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

JUDGE, YOU'VE SPENT YOUR WHOLE CAREER IN AND OUT OF THE JUDICIARY WORKING WITH JUVENILES.

IS IT NOT WE'VE HAD NINE SUPERINTENDENTS OVER TWO DECADES?

WHAT'S CAUSED THE INABILITY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS EVERYONE SAYS THEY'RE FOCUSED ON?

>> I THINK NINE SUPERINTENDENTS DOES SPEAK TO A CERTAIN DEGREE OF INSABILITY, TO UNDERSTATE THE ISSUE, BUT I THINK THE PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE SYSTEMIC, AND I THINK THE REALITY IS THAT BOSTON STUDENTS, MOST RISTUDENTS OF COLOR, ATTEND SCHOOLS IN HIGHLY SEGREGATED NEIGHBORHOODS, AND AS RICHARD ROTHSTEIN IN THE COLOR OF LAW AND SO P OTHER COMEN RARITIES OBSERVED, OUR SCHOOLS ARE MORE SEGREGATED THAN AT THE TIME OF BROWN vs. BOARD OF BOARD OF EDUCATION.

IT'S UNWISE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES.

>> Braude: GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE.

WHEN I THINK OF ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES, I THINK OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH STUDY FROM 2016, BOSTON UNIVERSITY, WOULD SHOW THE AVERAGE LIFE SPAN OF PEOPLE LIVING IN ROXBURY IS 59 YEARS OF AGE JUXTAPOSED BY AVERAGE LIFE SPAN OF PEOPLE LIVING IN BACK BAY IN '92.

THAT'S BEEN CRITIQUED AS HYPERBOLIC, MAYBE THE DIFFERENCE IS NOT THAT DRAMATIC BUT SEEN AS A PARAMETER.

THAT'S THE REALITY.

THE REALITY IS OUR SCHOOLS ARE DRAMATICALLY UNDER-RESOURCED.

SO THIS REQUIRES FIXES WHICH INCLUDE LOOKING AT ZONING, CREATING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO HOPEFULLY KEEP MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE IN THE CITY BECAUSE THAT THE PART OF THE BIG PROBLEM HERE, WE HAD WHITE FLIGHT AFTER BUSING, THEN WE HAD A SECOND WAVE DUE TO UNAFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK, AND THEN WE HAD SCHOOLS WHICH WERE ESSENTIALLY INHABITED OR, EXCUSE ME, ATTENDED BY BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS AND, AT THE SAME TIME, AS YOU NOTED, WE HAVE WEALTHY WHITE PEOPLE MOVING INTO THE SEAPORT.

SO IT'S THE QUESTION OF HAVING THE POLITICAL WILL TO ALLOCATE RESOURCES IN A WAY WHICH MAKES SENSE.

SO THAT REALLY REALLY INVOLVES LOOKING AT SYSTEMIC ISSUES WHICH TRANSCEND JUST THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> Braude: UNDERSTOOD.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOUSING POLICY.

>> Braude: UNDERSTOOD.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOUSING POLICY.

MADELINE WRIGHT EDLEMAN OBSERVED THAT THE CRADLE DIPPERS PIPELINE MOVES THROUGH UNDER-FUNDED, UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS AND SCHOOLS.

THIS IS NOT A REVELATION.

>> Braude: SO LATOYA GAYLE, WHAT ARE THE ONE OR TWO THINGS THAT YOU WOULD DO IF YOU WERE THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT TO RIGHT THIS INJUSTICE?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

>> I WOULD HAVE SOME GOALS.

I DON'T THINK -- BECAUSE WE'VE HAD SO MUCH LEADERSHIP, THERE'S NOT EVEN, LIKE, HERE ARE OUR BASIC GOALS THAT WE'RE GOING TO MEET, LIKE EVERY KID IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO READ AND WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.

FOR INSTANCE, I KNOW SO MANY FAMILIES WHO HAVE A CHILD WHO'S DYSLEXIC, AND THAT SETS A TRAJECTORY FOR THEIR EDUCATION.

THAT'S NOT THE SAME IN WEALTHIER COMMUNITIES.

IF A CHILD'S DYSLEXIC, THEY GET WHAT THEY NEED AND THEY GO ON TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND HAVE ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES IN LIFE.

BUT IF YOU'RE A POOR CHILD, THAT'S NOT THE SAME.

YOU'RE JUST LIKE -- YOU'VE FAILED FROM THE BEGINNING.

>> Braude: LET ME STAY WITH YOU FOR ONE SECOND.

THAT QUOTE THAT I READ FROM THE "BOSTON GLOBE" FROM A FELLOW BLACK PARENT AND EDUCATION ADVOCATE ABOUT INTENTIONALITY IS PRETTY HARSH, BUT DO YOU THINKETH INTENTIONAL THAT THERE IS -- BLACK AND BROWN KIDS ARE SECOND CLASS PEOPLE AND DESERVE SECOND CLASS EDUCATION.

>> I'M GOING WITH WHAT THE JUDGE SAID -- WE ALL LIVE IN SYSTEMS AND IF WE'RE NOT INTENTIONAL ABOUT BREAKING A SYSTEM, THEN THE SYSTEM GOES ON AND DOES WHAT IT DOES, AND WE KNOW THAT POOR PEOPLE, WE KNOW THAT BLACK FAMILIES, BLACK CHILDREN ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY ALL OUR SYSTEMS INCLUDING EDUCATION.

>> Braude: INCLUDING SPECIAL EDUCATION.

>> YES.

I WAS GOING TO SAY THE RECENT REPORTING REGARDING THE BUSING SITUATION OF BOSTON JUST UNDERLINES THE SCOPE OF THIS PROBLEM.

ROGERS, THE RACIAL EQUITY ACTION PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT MAC HELPED HIGH LIGHT THIS ISSUE.

BLACK AND BROWN KIDS, THE BUS DOESN'T COME.

>> Braude: ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN'T GO TO A QUALITY SCHOOL IN YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD, THAT YOU'VE GOT TO GO THROUGH THE LOTTERY SYSTEM YOU DESCRIBED AND THIS DIASPORA BUS SYSTEM THAT COULD ENTAIL A THREE BUS RIDE AND THERE'S A DISCONNECT BETWEEN WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE BUSING AND LATER AT SCHOOL, PARENTS BEING CALLED, WHY ISN'T YOUR CHILD IN SCHOOL, AN ALLEGATION PERHAPS OF BEING NEGLECTFUL, THAT CAN AND SHOULD BE AND MUST BE FIXED YESTERDAY.

>> Braude: JUDGE BLITZMAN, LATOYA GAYLE, I'M SORRY I'M OUT OF TIME.

HOPE YOU WILL REJOIN ME TO CONTINUE THIS IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Braude: THANK YOU BOTH.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND PLEASE, DON'T FORGET UKRAINE.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org