Farewell Superintendent: What Is Johnson's Legacy in JP?

By David Ertischek

A new interim superintendent has taken over at Boston Public Schools. 

Interim Boston Public Schools Superintendent John McDonough took the helm of the district effective July 1 from Superintendent Carol Johnson after six years of her leadership. 

With six years of running the Boston Public School system, how do you think Jamaica Plain public schools are today through Johnson's leadership? Are they better, worse, or the same, since Johnson took over?

Johnson delivered her final public remarks as superintendent at the last School Committee meeting in June, noting what she felt were her accomplishments: Increasing ELL services, on creating new schools, and working on a new school assignment plan. 

Below are some highlights of Carol Johnson's farewell speech about what the district accomplished during her time:

On increasing ELL services and adding more classes...

"Since (my first day), we have improved graduation rates, reclaimed many who have dropped out, reduced our dropout rate, increased time, given more than 17,000 students access to ELL services, Algebra I, 32 more AP courses, quality early childhood, music and art, P.E., debate league, and athletics." 
 
On summer learning enrollment...

"We have gone from approximately 5,000 students in summer learning experiences, offering both remedial and enrichment, to approximately 12,000 students expected this summer."  

On new schools in the district...

"We have created new innovative and in-district charter schools, new traditional schools as well as expanded and improved others. We now offer more K-8 schools, 2 International Baccalaureate, a K-12 inclusion high school, a Montessori early childhood program in East Boston, Green Academy, UP Academy, Newcomer's Academy and the Re-Engagement Center."

On parent outreach and involvement...

"Parent University, our community engagement efforts, and our Welcome Services department along with our parent ambassadors have enhanced our family outreach efforts and over the last six years we have reached out to the community in unprecedented ways to solicit, gather, and use their input."

On ELL students graduation rates rising...

"We still have persistent achievement gaps, but we see evidence that they are closing. Just a few years ago, the graduation rate for our ELL students was 38.8%; for 2012, it was 59.3%."

On new school assignment plan...

"Our new school assignment plan and quality schools planning committee will move forward our efforts to bring quality schools to every community, with a school choice plan that is flexible and brings quality opportunities to every household; and ensures a stronger, more robust and very transparent accountability system district-wide."