Bentley Elementary School Placed on Accelerated Turnaround Path
At 2:00 pm today the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced Bentley School in Salem as a “Level 4” under-performing school and established a three-year timeline for Bentley to implement a turnaround plan that will lead to improved student achievement.
Level 4 schools are identified by the State as “the lowest performing and least improving schools in the Commonwealth; these schools are often referred to as ‘turnaround schools’ since designation as a Level 4 school requires them to undertake an accelerated process for rapid and sustainable achievement within three years. Designation as Level 4 offers a real opportunity for our most struggling schools to receive the attention, assistance, authorities, and flexibilities they need to move forward.”
Bentley is one of 40 other schools in ten districts across the state at this level (34 are in year two of their turnaround). A district is designated as a “Level 4” once a single school in the district is designated as such. As reported by the Superintendent, four other schools are “on the cusp” of Level 4 designation, these include: Carlton Elementary School, Collins Middle School, Nathaniel Bowditch School, and Salem High School.
Superintendent Russell, Mayor Driscoll, the Teachers’ Union, Dr. MacFarland and the Salem School Committee are already taking steps to understand the expectations, timelines, and opportunities available to Bentley and the District. DESE is working with the district and will share lessons learned from ongoing turnarounds, two-thirds of which are showing significant gains after just one year. The Boston Foundation released a report last week indicating that of the 34 turnaround schools, 25 raised their math scores and 23 improved in English.
Bentley must develop and implement a redesign plan in collaboration with the superintendent, school committee, teachers’ union, administrators, teachers, parents, and community representatives. This plan also serves as the application for potential federal funding. To exit Level 4 status, Bentley must exhibit a 3-year increase in student achievement as well as the ability for the school and district to sustain the improvements.
The Salem Education Foundation will be working alongside the district offering financial and community resources and support to change this reality. Over the next few months we will be hosting public meetings and forums to help keep our community informed about education in Salem. There is much to be learned from neighboring districts with similar student populations about what works in classrooms, schools and districts. We look forward to working with the district to engage community partners to help the Salem Public Schools set and meet their turnaround goals. We welcome any support the community has to offer. Please contact us at info@salemeducationfoundation.org.
