Thursday, February 9, 2012
Ten Boston Schools awarded $22 million in School Improvement Grants
Funds will ensure students spend more time in class every day
Contact Information:
BPS Communications Office 617-635-9265, communications@bostonpublicschools.org
August 12, 2010
Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today applauded the decision by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Patrick Administration to fulfill all of the district’s requests for school improvement funds for the city’s “Level 4” or turnaround schools. The announcement, made this afternoon, means the ten schools BPS submitted turnaround plans for will receive funds to support the extensive overhaul plans that the state’s Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education tentatively approved last month.
“Today’s announcement validates the hard work put forth by the
Superintendent Johnson also expressed her thanks following the state announcement.
“This is a big win for the students who attend the schools in our city that are not serving them at a level that is acceptable,” said Dr. Johnson. “With this money we can offer students more time in class with their teachers and offer social and emotional supports as needed, among many other changes. This is an important step forward in our plan to turn around these underperforming schools.”
The school improvement plans were submitted to the state through a competitive process. Each school is allocated a varying amount of dollars based on several factors, including the size of the school and the number of staff. BPS will receive just more than $22 million in school improvement grants over the next three years
Among the substantial changes taking place at these schools starting immediately will be an increase of 30 minutes in daily instructional time for students as well as an increase in planning and professional development time for teachers and other staff members. The funds announced today will allow BPS to pay teachers a $4,100 annual stipend for the extra time.
In November 2009 Superintendent Johnson unveiled a five-year strategic plan for the district known as the Acceleration Agenda. Included in the Acceleration Agenda are drastic plans to overhaul and turnaround the city’s struggling schools. The Boston School Committee formally adopted the plan earlier this year.
“Progress is underway in the Boston Public Schools,” said school committee chairperson Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. “Anyone who believes the status quo is sufficient should stand aside. With these funds the Superintendent and her team will be able to fully implement a plan that will have a lasting impact on an entire generation of
In March, Superintendent Johnson announced leadership changes at six of the turnaround schools, while the remaining schools had recently welcomed new Principals and Headmasters. Staff at six of the schools were also asked to reapply for their positions.
“Plans can only do so much – but now we have the funds to support much needed changes in schools like the Blackstone,” said newly appointed Blackstone Elementary Principal Dr. Stephen Zrike. “These funds will be put toward resources that will directly and immediately impact students. Teachers and students will spend more time together in a meaningful way that will help accelerate student achievement.”
Plans for two turnaround schools,
The 2010/2011 school year begins in
The schools receiving state funding are:
William Blackstone Elementary School: $2,399,107
Henry Dearborn Middle School: $1,256,363
Elihu Greenwood Leadership Academy: $1,380,269
The English High School: $2,830,101
Harbor Middle School: $1,236,632
John F. Kennedy Elementary School: $1,238,137
John P. Holland Elementary School: $2,869,384
Orchard Gardens K-8 School: $3,728,029
Paul A. Dever Elementary School: $2,320,755
William Monroe Trotter Elementary School: $1,559,728
Click here to read the state's press release on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.
