For immediate release
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Contact: Jacqueline Reis 781-338-3115
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey C. Riley is sworn in by Governor Charlie Baker as Commissioner Riley’s daughter, Maya, looks on.
Governor Baker Swears In New Commissioner of Elementary and
Secondary Education Jeffrey C. Riley Commissioner Riley takes oath during celebration of 25th anniversary of the Massachusetts Education Reform Act
BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today swore in the new commissioner of elementary and secondary education, Jeffrey C. Riley, during a ceremony that also marked the 25th anniversary of the 1993 Education Reform Act.
Mr. Riley, who has served as the commissioner-appointed superintendent/receiver of the Lawrence Public Schools since 2012, was recommended to Education Secretary James Peyser in January by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
“We are excited to swear Jeff Riley in as the Commonwealth’s new Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education and look forward to his leadership of the department,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Jeff’s track record of delivering for students, along with his experience, success and commitment to the classroom will be great for Massachusetts.”
“Jeff’s experience as a teacher, principal and administrator will make him an excellent commissioner of education,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are happy to have him at the helm of our state’s education system to ensure all children across the Commonwealth have an opportunity to succeed.”
As superintendent/receiver of the Lawrence Public Schools, Mr. Riley initiated an innovative redesign of the district by empowering school leadership teams with new authority and resources, extended learning time, and offered extra instruction during school vacations. During his tenure, graduation rates rose markedly, and MCAS performance improved significantly, particularly in math.
“Jeff’s front-line experience and success in making positive, sustained improvement in one of the state’s lowest performing school systems prepares him well to be our new commissioner of elementary and secondary education, with the goal of closing achievement gaps as job one Secretary Peyser said. “I look forward to working closely with Jeff in the months and years ahead, and I welcome him to the team.”
Commissioner Riley’s swearing in was part of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Leading the Nation celebration. Those involved in crafting the 1993 landmark legislation traded perspectives on the Massachusetts Education Reform Act, reflected on the Commonwealth’s current status as a national leader in K-12 education, and discussed next steps to address achievement gaps.
“The blueprint put in place in 1993 catapulted Massachusetts to the top of the country on various metrics. And there is much to celebrate. But we must recognize that education requires constant gardening, and, as such, our work is never done,” Commissioner Riley said. “As we close out 25 years of education reform, it is time again to harness the bipartisan spirit of 1993 to build on what has been accomplished and to write the next chapter in Massachusetts educational history.”
With Commissioner Riley taking on the role of DESE Commissioner, Lawrence Public Schools will enter a new phase of receivership with a commissioner-appointed board that is in the process of hiring a new superintendent.
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