Compass Schools Honored at Statehouse Ceremony

BOSTON - School leaders from the state's 15 Commonwealth Compass Schools were lauded for their achievements and encouraged to share their best practices with other educators at a Statehouse recognition ceremony on Wednesday.

The program, which recognizes schools showing gains in student achievement, and encourages networking and the sharing of ideas, is in its second year. Schools selected in 2002 include 6 high schools, 7 elementary schools and 2 middle schools. Last year, 14 schools were selected.

"The Compass Schools are a success story because of the teamwork between teachers, administrators and students," said Governor Jane Swift. "When everyone is working toward the same goals, and working well together, great things happen. This is not just a state success story, this is a national example of excellence."

Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll agreed.

"The schools we are honoring show that improvement is not only possible, but that it's happening," he said. "I am hopeful that these schools' stories and ideas will inspire educators from around the state to follow their lead."

The schools were chosen in June based on improvement in student performance on the English and math MCAS exams. To apply, educators completed applications describing the improvement initiatives they had implemented over the past four years that have had the most positive impacts in student achievement.

In all, 84 schools applied, 18 were named finalists, and from that pool the 15 Compass schools were selected.

They are the Balliett Elementary School, Springfield; the Bentley School, Salem; Brighton High School, Boston; Brockton High School, Brockton, the Clyde Brown Elementary School, Millis; the Cobbet Elementary School, Lynn; East Bridgewater High School, East Bridgewater; the Frank M. Sokolowski School, Chelsea; the Fuller Middle School, Framingham; Methuen High School, Methuen; the Norrback Avenue School, Worcester; the Richard J. Murphy School, Boston; Somerset High School, Somerset; Uxbridge High School, Uxbridge; and the Veterans Memorial Middle School, Melrose.

Educators from each school will make presentations at a conference in October, and will spend the next year hosting on-site visits at their schools for teachers from other parts of the state.

For more information on the Commonwealth Compass Schools program, check the Department of Education's Web site at www.doe.mass.edu/sda/.