Superintendent updates School Committee on Acceleration Agenda

Superintendent Carol R. Johnson tonight updated the Boston School Committee on the Boston Public Schools (BPS) 5-year “Acceleration Agenda” strategic plan. Dr. Johnson also updated the committee on the recent passage of the education reform law in Massachusetts that affords new flexibilities to school districts across the Commonwealth.

Part of the Acceleration Agenda directs resources to replicate success and turn around low performing schools in Boston. In November, 2009 Dr. Johnson identified 14 schools as “turnaround schools” in need of targeted interventions for rapid improvement. Tonight Dr. Johnson announced the major overhauls that will take place at the schools to ensure success for the students who attend those schools. Recommendations presented to the School Committee include: 

• Change principal leadership in a minimum of 6 schools.
6 have already been changed, effective July, 2009.

• “Fresh Start” at 6 schools.
Every staff member who wishes to remain in the school must reapply for their  position.

• Merge 2 schools with 2 higher performing schools,
converting them into new K-8s.

• Identify, evaluate, and remove ineffective teachers, using
legislation to expedite arbitration.

• Create incentives to recruit highly effective turnaround leader and teacher teams to these schools and offer rewards for results; partner with Teach Plus and Boston Teacher Residency.
 
• In addition to turning around these 14 schools, create up to 3 new in-district charter schools (Horace Mann Schools) in school year 2011-2012.

• Create a request for proposals seeking out highly effective charter management organizations and innovative models from BPS teachers to operate schools serving students with persistent achievement gaps.

• Forge relationships with area charter schools for professional development and technical assistance.

Dr. Johnson recognized that all of the 14 “turnaround” schools require interventions and additional assistance. Among the investments being used at all of the 14 schools are: Expanded learning time, a redesign of service delivery models for students learning English and students with special learning needs, leadership and instructional coaching from educational experts and increased student support services.

“Our top priority has always been and remains bringing quality, highly enriching educational opportunities to our students,” said Dr. Johnson. “Tonight, with the help of new flexibilities afforded to us by the recently passed education reform legislation, we are able to end business as usual in our schools and accelerate progress for all students.”

School communities have been and will continue to be engaged in the process of turning around low performing schools. Within the next two weeks teams will work with school leaders, teachers, staff, parents and students to explain the actions being taken at each school.

“We know we can not do this work alone,” added Dr. Johnson. “We will be working with our community partners in the business, arts, faith-based, non-profit and higher education communities to help us bring added supports to our schools.”

BPS will act swiftly to implement successful and innovative strategies at each of the “turnaround” schools. The district requires authorization from Massachusetts education officials to implement some measures that were signed into law earlier this month. When the state designates its list of underperforming schools, BPS will be poised to immediately implement its plan.