The list of the state's 35 most persistently low performing schools (the so-called "Level 4" schools) has been released (March 4). Under the newly enacted Massachusetts Education Reform law, these schools are now eligible for federal aid and state support to bring about dramatic improvements in student achievement through a blend of new school designs, better instructional support and stronger leadership.
Under this law, the identified schools will develop redesign plans in collaboration with the superintendent, school committee, teachers' union, administrators, teachers, community representatives and parents. The redesign plan at each of the identified schools will serve as its application for the federal grant funding. The schools are also now eligible for additional federal funds to help the planning and implementation.
More than 17,000 mainly minority students attend the 35 schools. Nearly 9 out of 10 are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch based on family income, 21% are students with disabilities and 26% are limited English proficient.
Two-thirds of the schools are located in the Commonwealth's two largest cities, Boston and Springfield. The other schools are in seven other cities: Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford and Worcester. In all, 20 are elementary schools, 8 are middle schools, 3 are K-8 schools and 4 are high schools.
In February, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) finalized regulations to allow states to offer competitive grants over the next three years to intervene in each of their lowest performing schools. Through this program, Massachusetts is eligible for an estimated $76 million over the next three years, which will be awarded to the districts. Those that commit to one of four intervention models identified by USED can apply for grants of $500,000 or more per year on behalf of each Level 4 school.
Of the 35 schools, 33 were identified based on an analysis of 4-year trends in overall school performance, student growth and improvement as measured by the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System. Two are schools previously identified as "chronically underperforming".
