Urban Dropout Prevention and Recovery Work Group Districts to Host Open House Information Sharing Events

To:Superintendents, High School Principals, Guidance Directors, and Directors of Charter Schools, Approved Private Special Education Schools, Institutional Schools, and Educational Collaboratives
From:Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Date:May 11, 2010

This spring, three districts from the Urban Dropout Prevention and Recovery Work Group will each host open houses. Teams from all Massachusetts districts are invited to register to visit Brockton, Pittsfield, or Worcester to learn about specific initiatives, programs and, services that are contributing to reducing the number of students who drop out. Space is limited. For more information about each open house and event registration, please visit: http://www.doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=904. The Urban Dropout Prevention and Recovery Workgroup was formed in 2008 as a partnership between the Department and the Urban Superintendents Network. The Work Group:
  • comprises 18 urban districts: Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Revere, Somerville, Springfield, and Worcester - these 18 districts account for about 53 percent of the dropouts statewide
  • was formed to facilitate sharing of promising dropout prevention and recovery practices and to support evidence-based district team action planning activities
  • is supported by two Department units - the Urban and Commissioner's Districts and Secondary School Services - with additional support from the New England Comprehensive Center
  • is partially funded through a grant targeted at helping support innovative programming and district-based dropout prevention and recovery planning
Activities for School Year 2009-2010 have included large group meetings, webinars, and cross-district "open houses."



Last Updated: May 11, 2010



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