Dive Brief:
- Since 2008, underperforming schools in Massachusetts have received support from districts to help them turn around, and the state considers a district only as good as its worst school.
- The concept that the system is centered on is continual support and cooperation, making the school in question a part of a "broader district ecosystem" and empowering experienced school leaders to naturally share knowledge with new school leaders.
- As ESSA implementation begins, other states might look to this accountability model for guidance and possible replication.
Dive Insight:
As states scramble to come up with their own rules and guidelines over certain policy measures, like accountability, under the recently-passed Every Student Succeeds Act, it's likely that some may look to Massachusetts for guidance — especially since the state leads the nation in education. In Education Week's “State of the States” report card, the Bay State ranked first for both school performance and student achievement.
And aside from taking note of their accountability system, Massachusetts has also considered a moderate bill regulating charter growth. With a set cap of 120, charter growth would be limited to 12 new or expanded charter schools annually.
Although Massachusetts' approach to turning around low-performing schools seems different from the emergency state takeover approaches used in other states, it's not entirely unique. For the very worst-ranked schools, state takeover is still a possibility.