Since Fall 2014, the number of students attending private school in Massachusetts has decreased from 150,000 students per year to just 120,000 students in 2019. This number is projected to continue to decrease due to many challenges independent schools are facing in the 21st century. This decrease in enrollment has led to a crisis for private…

In the fall of 2015, Jonathan Howland interviewed about a dozen independent school heads to inquire about novel programs and developments in their schools that, if they take root and flourish, could be "game changing"; about their vision of independent schools 40 years hence, in mid-21st-century America; and about impediments to reaching…

Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAPs) are a key piece of connected career advising that align learners' career and life goals with academic, postsecondary and career pathway options. ICAPs have different names in different states, including Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) and Individual Graduation Plans (IGPs). They refer to both the…

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to identify and understand the leadership strategies used by Massachusetts high school administrators during the early implementation (first four years) of one-to-one computing. The study was guided by two research questions: (1) How do high school administrators describe their experience leading the…

To stem the tide of students dropping out, many schools and districts are turning to early warning systems (EWS) that signal whether a student is at risk of not graduating from high school. While some research exists about establishing these systems, there is little information about the actual implementation strategies that are being used across…

Describes how a brand new Massachusetts elementary principal enlisted teacher cooperation to establish learning priorities for the school, as directed by the superintendent. Beginning with a needs assessment and construction of a school mission, the planning team then developed a set of specific educational goals. Newly learned collaborative…

This paper describes Massachusetts' progress in implementing a comprehensive and coherent approach to education reform from the time of application through June 30, 2011. In particular, it highlights key accomplishments over the reporting period in the four reform areas: standards and assessments, data systems to support instruction, great…

Explains how careful planning can contribute to the success of controlled choice desegregation plans, using the approach developed in four Massachusetts communities. In this model, genuine collaborative planning involves every segment of the community. Surveys of parents, teachers, and principals provide necessary information for planning. (SLD)