Boston School Committee, Superintendent name 27 Effective Practice Schools

BOSTON - The Boston School Committee and Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant today invited 27 schools to serve as Effective Practice (EP) schools for the 2003-2004 school year (see list attached). Schools that accept the invitation to participate will be given increased autonomy in certain areas, including greater budget flexibility, and will serve as best practice models for other schools in the district.

The schools were selected for their success in improving instruction and raising student achievement, as measured by a variety of quantitative and qualitative data. Criteria for selection of EP schools included MCAS gains as well as ongoing implementation of BPS instructional priorities such as workshop instruction and Collaborative Coaching and Learning (CCL).

Superintendent Payzant congratulated the schools on their selection and cited the importance of increased collaboration among teachers and principals throughout the city.

"I am pleased to recognize these 27 schools for their progress in implementing our goals for teacher support and development," he said. "These schools have opened their doors to other schools in the district to share their stories and their efforts to improve instruction in every classroom. Their results are proof that these strategies are taking hold in our schools."

Boston School Committee Chair Elizabeth Reilinger agreed.

"We are excited to see that these schools have been able to refine their instructional practice in order to improve teaching for their students," she said. "As we ask schools to be more accountable, we want to be able to give them the flexibility they need in order to improve teaching and learning for all students."

BPS officials and the Boston Plan for Excellence developed the system for selecting Effective Practice schools. Dr. Payzant noted that the honor includes both rewards and responsibilities: Schools earn public recognition and increased autonomy for their achievements and agree to serve as research and development sites for district-wide education reform initiatives.

The first group of 26 Effective Practice schools was selected in 2001. Their success during the first two years enabled the program to expand this year.

2003-2004 Effective Practice Schools

Brighton High School
Burke High School (Dorchester)
Carter Development Center (South End)
East Boston Early Education Center
Thomas A. Edison Middle School (Brighton)
North Zone Early Learning Center (Allston)
Edward Everett Elementary School (Dorchester)
James A. Garfield Elementary School (Brighton)
Curtis Guild Elementary School (East Boston)
Rafael Hernandez K-8 School (Jamaica Plain)
Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Allston)
Jackson-Mann Elementary School (Allston)
Mary Lyon K-8 School (Brighton)
Joseph P. Manning Elementary School (Jamaica Plain)
John Marshall Elementary School (Dorchester)
Samuel W. Mason Elementary School (Roxbury)
John W. McCormack Middle School (Dorchester)
Donald McKay K-8 School (East Boston)
Richard J. Murphy K-8 School (Dorchester)
Patrick O'Hearn Elementary School (Dorchester)
James Otis Elementary School (East Boston)
Josiah Quincy Elementary School (Chinatown)
William Rogers Middle School (Hyde Park)
Franklin D. Roosevelt Elementary School (Hyde Park)
Muriel S. Snowden International High School (Back Bay)
James P. Timilty Middle School (Roxbury)
Warren/Prescott Elementary School (Charlestown)