Sr. Associate Commissioner & Accountability Update Presentation to the AAAC October 29, 2014

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Transition to ESE 2

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Transition to ESE 3

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Transition to ESE Team I am motivated to fix the inequalities that face the Commonwealth's neediest students. I truly believe that the only way to close the achievement gap is to provide all students with excellent teachers all of the time…I believe in creating systems to build great teachers and leaders for schools. 4

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education The Work Ahead Level 4 Assistance and Monitoring Level 5 Planning and Implementation 5

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Level 4 Assistance and Monitoring 6

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Level 5 Planning and Implementation 7

2014 Accountability Update Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 8

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education & 2014 School Levels Note: 4 schools are provisionally identified for Level 3 pending approval of Level 4 exit assurances. Four Level 4 schools are under review. Schools with insufficient data to be eligible for a level are schools ending in grade PK, K, 1, or 2, very small schools, and schools without four full years of data.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education & 2014 District Levels Note: Single-school districts with insufficient data to be eligible for a level are schools ending in grade PK, K, 1, or 2, very small schools, and schools without four full years of data.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 11 Level 4 Schools Discussion Overview Provide an overview of ESE’s process for making exit decisions for Level 4 Schools Summarize the next steps for each designation pathway Provide an update about newly identified Level 4 schools Level 4 Exit Refresher Exiting Schools Schools Remaining in Level 4 Schools Under Review New Level 4 Schools

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 12 5 Cohorts of Level 4 Schools

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 13 Exit Decision Criteria

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 14 Decision Overview Determination# of Schools Relevant Districts Exit to Level 3, 2 or 1 4Boston, Springfield, Worcester Remain in Level 45Boston, Holyoke, Springfield Under Review4Boston, Springfield

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 15 Information for Schools Exiting Level 4  District must submit an “Exit Assurances & Sustainability Application” to identify ongoing sustainability supports, request continued flexibilities, and allow ESE to monitor progress.  4 schools have qualified to exit Level 4 status:  Boston – Burke HS  Springfield – Brightwood ES & Brookings ES  Worcester – Chandler ES

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 16 Information for Schools Remaining In Level 4  This category encompasses three types of schools: 1.1 school that came close to its performance targets but needs additional time:  Springfield - White Street ES 2. 1 school that made progress but needs more dramatic improvement:  Springfield – Commerce HS 3. 3 schools that have struggled and are now partnering with turnaround operators:  Boston – English HS & Greenwood ES  Holyoke – Dean Voc Tech HS

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 17 Schools that are Under Review  4 schools are still under review and are temporarily identified as “Level 4 – Under Review”:  Boston:Dearborn ES  Springfield: Chestnut MS Kennedy MS Kiley MS

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 18 New Level 4 Schools: Identification & Next Steps  Selection Criteria:  Newly identified Level 4 schools are a subset of Level 3.  These schools have had flat or declining results for multiple years and are not making progress.  Next Steps:  Convening a Local Stakeholder Group  Preparing and submitting a Turnaround Plan  Option to apply for FY15 School Redesign Grant Funds

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 19 6 Newly Identified Level 4 Schools DistrictSchoolGrade Level BostonHenry GrewElementary BostonDorchester AcademyHigh School SpringfieldJohn J DugganMiddle SpringfieldForest ParkMiddle SpringfieldVan SickleMiddle WorcesterElm Park CommunityElementary

AAAC Goal Setting & Council Discussion

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 21 Breakout Activity  Take 5-7 minutes to respond to each discussion question individually (a response sheet is located in your folders)  What expertise and/or functional skills do you hope to contribute to the Accountability and Assistance advisory work?  How should future meetings be structured in order for your knowledge and expertise to be of value to the Department?  Based on the list of potential advisory topics, what would you prioritize for the remaining three meetings? What would you add?

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 22  ESE facilitators: Lise Zeig, Liza Veto, Rebecca Shor, Joan Tuttle  What expertise and/or functional skills do you hope to contribute to the Accountability and Assistance advisory work?  How should future meetings be structured in order for your knowledge and expertise to be of value to the Department?  Based on the list of potential advisory topics, what would you prioritize for the remaining three meetings? What would you add? Be prepared to share-out! In groups of 2-3 AAAC members and one ESE facilitator, please discuss your responses to the discussion questions