BPS Algebra Expansion: Increasing Access & Success for 8th Grade Algebra

This initiative aims to accelerate academic achievement in math by increasing the number of schools teaching Algebra in 8th grade. In 2007, less than 1% of the 3,800 students who are not in one of Boston's three selective exam schools had access to Algebra. Thanks to this initiative, that percentage is rapidly increasing. This funding will support continued expansion across the school district, providing additional supports to ensure students' success in Algebra I.

BPS: ESL Pathway Program

The Pathway Program for ESL (English as a Second Language) Licensure and Professional Practice will equip 160 teachers in targeted "high needs" schools with the specialized knowledge, instructional skills, and training needed for effective ESL professional practice. While the focus is on developing effective ESL teachers, the program will also prepare participants for the ESL Massachusetts Test for Educational Licensure and support them through the ESL lincensure process.

Countdown to High School

Countdown to High School will support the transition of 8th and 9th grade students in BPS to high schools. With yearlong coursework for students and a series of workshops for parents, this initiative aims to facilitate the transition of students from 8th to 9th grade - a transition that is particularly challenging for many students and for which there are few existing supports - thereby reducing student failure and increasing the likelihood that students will be successful in high school and graduate on time.

Haley Pilot School: Response to Intervention

The Haley Elementary Pilot School will implement a data-based Response to Intervention (RTI) model for reading instruction in its full inclusion classrooms. The BPS has expressed interest in expanding the RTI model across more schools to build capacity of teachers in meeting the needs of all learners and providing the supports and structures to help all students be successful.

Making Music Matters!

A model for school-driven arts education, Making Music Matters (MMM) currently provides structured instrumental music instruction for 300 3rd through 7th grade students across four schools during the school day. In addition, the program serves as a vehicle for community involvement in the schools and has generated unique parents collaboration between its partner schools. Net fall, MMM plans to replicate its model at the Bates and Mattahunt Elementary Schools, reading an additional 240 students.

Teach Plus & BPS: Turnaround Teacher Teams

BPS and Teach Plus will work in partnership to recruit, select, develop, and support the highest quality teachers and principals to transform the district's lowest performing schools with the goal of significantly raising student achievement in those schools. This initiative will focus on two of the twelve schools identified by the distrct as "Turnaround Schools".

Visual Understanding in Education: Visual Thinking Strategies

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is an arts-based critical thinking and language curriculum and teaching method. This initiative seeks to expand the VTS approach to all students at the Hennigan and Mather Elementary Schools. The program includes student instruction in critical thinking and communication as they discuss works of art and professional development for teachers in implementing the curriculum. VTS aims to boost academic achievement, facilitating systemic change in how students learn and teachers teach through rigorous, open-ended discussions of works of art.