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Mayor, Superintendent propose school reform package

Proposal would extend “turn-around” powers and eliminate cap for In-District charter schools

May 8, 2013

Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Superintendent Carol R. Johnson testified before the Joint Committee on Education on the Mayor's proposal to boost student achievement. The proposal would extend “turn-around” powers to Level 3 schools, eliminate the cap on In-District charters, and extend the school day. The bill is H529 – An Act Promoting Public School Success – sponsored by former Representative Marty Walz.

“We should not have to wait for a school to fail before we give it the tools to succeed,” Mayor Menino said. “I encourage this Committee to move quickly on this important legislation. I would tell you I have 8 months left to make this happen – but that’s too long. Our kids need action today.”

In his testimony, Mayor Menino acknowledged the handful of education reform bills before the Committee, and said he would support any bill that extends “turn-around” powers to more schools and allows for the creation of more In-District charter schools.

Superintendent Johnson honors thirteen Boston schools for excellence in student health and wellness

Excellence in School Wellness Awards presented at 6th Annual Boston Public Schools Wellness Summit

April 26, 2013

Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today honored 13 schools for innovations in promoting student health and wellness. Dr. Johnson presented the “Excellence in School Wellness” awards, which included a cash prize, at the 6th Annual BPS Wellness Summit.

“Collectively, these schools demonstrated innovative efforts in creating connections to improve the school environment to make the healthy choice the easy choice,” said Dr. Johnson. “For a school to be successful in its mission to provide an education for all students,

BOSTON —Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today honored 13 schools for innovations in promoting student health and wellness. Dr. Johnson presented the “Excellence in School Wellness” awards, which included a cash prize, at the 6th Annual BPS Wellness Summit.

Superintendent Johnson announces plan to retire this summer

Under Johnson’s leadership graduation rates have surged to the highest level ever; arts and athletics have expanded; enrollment projected to be highest in eight years

April 24, 2013

After nearly six years as Superintendent, with graduation rates at their highest levels in the city’s history and fall projected enrollment at its highest level in eight years, Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today announced she plans to retire as Superintendent after this school year. She has been in office since August, 2007. Dr. Johnson informed families, teachers and staff of her decision today through a letter and video message. “Dr. Johnson is one of the most compassionate, caring and talented Superintendents in the United States,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “She continued the extraordinary transformation of our schools and from day one has focused on creating better schools and offering great classrooms for every child. I often say that she has one of the hardest jobs in the city and she has done it well. We are grateful for everything she has been able to accomplish for our city’s families.”

BOSTON – After nearly six years as Superintendent, with graduation rates at their highest levels in the city’s history and fall projected enrollment at its highest level in eight years, Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today announced she plans to retire as Superintendent after this school year. She has been in office since August, 2007.

“Dr. Johnson is one of the most compassionate, caring and talented Superintendents in the United States,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “She continued the extraordinary transformation of our schools and from day one has focused on creating better schools and offering great classrooms for every child. I often say that she has one of the hardest jobs in the city and she has done it well. We are grateful for everything she has been able to accomplish for our city’s families.”

Harvard study: BPS early education programs lead to long-term learning gains and help close achievement gaps

April 10, 2013

A Harvard study published by the Society for Research in Child Development finds the academic gains achieved by students in Boston Public Schools’ early childhood education programs are the “largest found to date in evaluations of large-scale public prekindergarten programs.” According to the study, academic gains were particularly strong for Latino children, with African American students also showing significant, sustained gains in reading skills that last throughout elementary school.

BOSTON – A Harvard study published by the Society for Research in Child Development finds the academic gains achieved by students in Boston Public Schools’ early childhood education programs are the “largest found to date in evaluations of large-scale public prekindergarten programs.” According to the study, academic gains were particularly strong for Latino children, with African American students also showing significant, sustained gains in reading skills that last throughout elementary school.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino has led the expansion of the city’s pre-kindergarten programs, which began with the opening of three early education centers in 1998, to a total of 700 students served in 2005 and more than 2,300 students served every year today. Superintendent Carol R. Johnson and the Boston School committee expect to continue the expansion this fall.

Fall BPS enrollment expected to be the highest in eight years

New school registrations indicate a nearly 300-student increase in Kindergarten students

March 15, 2013

New figures indicate more families are choosing the Boston Public Schools, with an eight percent increase in students requesting Kindergarten (K2) seats for this fall. This year, 289 more families requested a K2 seat during the first round of registration as compared to last year. If trends continue, next year’s BPS enrollment will be at its highest level in eight years with an enrollment of 58,271 students.

“It’s clear that our improvements to school quality are attracting more families to our city’s public schools,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “Today our graduation rate is the highest it has ever been and we have brought arts, athletics, outdoor learning opportunities and extended days back to our schools. We are excited to welcome so many new families this fall.”

In addition to the enrollment increase, BPS has also made it easier for families to know earlier which school they will attend. Last year 344 incoming Kindergarten families made school choices but did not receive any of them after the first round of school registration, thereby left “unassigned.”

School Committee approves neighborhood-based school choice plan

New Home-Based model to provide every student better access to quality schools, closer to home

March 13, 2013

The Boston School Committee has voted 6-1 to approve a new Home-Based school choice plan, which delivers on Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s promise to help more students attend quality schools closer to home. The plan will take effect for the 2014-2015 school year and replaces the existing three-zone system, which was created in 1988.

The Boston School Committee voted 6-1 Wednesday evening to approve a new Home-Based school choice plan, which delivers on Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s promise to help more students attend quality schools closer to home. The plan will take effect for the 2014-2015 school year and replaces the existing three-zone system, which was created in 1988.

“Tonight’s historic vote marks a new day for every child in the City of Boston,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “A more predictable and equitable student assignment system that emphasizes quality and keeps our children close to home has been a long time coming for our city. Boston Public Schools have never been stronger – and now is the time to ensure our student assignment process reflects the great progress we’ve made.”

“Graduation rates have never been higher, students are outperforming their peers in other urban districts, and more parents are choosing Boston Public Schools for their children each year,” the Mayor said. “There will always be more work to be done to push all of our schools to be better, and tonight’s vote sets a path forward to make all our schools quality schools of choice.”

The Home-Based plan:

BPS proposes new transportation vendor for next school year

Competitive bid results in lower cost estimates, improved service for students

March 13, 2013

BPS is recommending a five year contract with five one-year extension options held by BPS and the City of Boston be awarded to Illinois-based Veolia Transportation Inc., to manage the daily operation and maintenance of the city’s school bus fleet beginning in July. The recommendation is subject to Boston School Committee approval. Under the proposal, our school bus drivers and school buses would remain the same, but the company that manages the fleet operations would change.

BOSTON – Boston Public Schools is recommending a five year contract with five one-year extension options held by BPS and the City of Boston be awarded to Illinois-based Veolia Transportation Inc., to manage the daily operation and maintenance of the city’s school bus fleet beginning in July. The recommendation is subject to Boston School Committee approval.

BPS has demanded several service improvements under the new bus contract, including:

Superintendent to adopt school choice panel recommendation to create school quality advisors team

Panel to work in collaboration with the district to accelerate achievement in all schools

February 26, 2013

Superintendent Carol R. Johnson has announced she will move to immediately create a Quality School Advisors team, consisting of community members and experts, to help advise the school district on ways to accelerate student achievement and increase school quality in the city. The call to create the team was embedded in the recommendation voted on last night by the External Advisory Committee (EAC), the 27-member committee appointed last year by Mayor Thomas M. Menino to recommend a new student assignment policy.

“Today, Boston stands as a leader in urban public education, but there is more for us to do to help all students achieve at the highest levels,” said Dr. Johnson. “More parents are choosing our schools, our graduation rate is at an historic high - and we even see more students remaining in high school beyond four years - so now is the time for us to leverage the knowledge and power of those who are committed as us to seeing our schools flourish.”

External Advisory Committee on School Choice votes for new neighborhood-based plan

New model will provide every student access to quality schools closer to home

February 25, 2013

Members of Mayor Thomas M. Menino's External Advisory Committee (EAC) on School Choice have voted overwhelmingly to recommend a new system for assigning students to schools in grades K through 8 in Boston. The plan, if approved by the Boston School Committee, will ensure students have access to quality schools close to their homes.

Members of Mayor Thomas M. Menino's External Advisory Committee (EAC) on School Choice tonight voted overwhelmingly to recommend a new system for assigning students to schools in grades K through 8 in Boston. The plan, if approved by the Boston School Committee, will ensure students have access to quality schools close to their homes.

The EAC is a panel, appointed last January by Mayor Menino, comprised of current, former, and future BPS parents as well as educators and community leaders. The committee has worked for more than a year on a data-driven process with deep community input on how to change the student assignment system. Tonight, the group voted to recommend a plan known as "Home-Based/A" that gives families a choice of a minimum of six schools near their home, based on their home address.

The recommended plan ensures:

20 Boston schools in session February vacation week

Acceleration Academies give students more instruction time in needed subject areas

February 20, 2013

More than 1,700 Boston Public Schools (BPS) students are in class this school vacation week, taking part in the district’s Acceleration Academies program. The effort, which is taking place in 20 schools across the city, aims to give academically struggling students an additional 30 hours of course time with high-quality teachers.

Students who have previously participated in the program demonstrated up to 20 point gains on state standardized tests.

“This is a program that works and it’s easy to see why,” said Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. “Giving students more time with great teachers, and using that time strategically, is a proven model of success.”

Students who attend an acceleration academy also participate in enrichment activities during the vacation week. These activities include African drumming, dance and tennis.

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