July 12, 2011

Yesterday at the AFT-TEACH conference in Washington, DC, Boston’s Edwards Middle School was hailed as a model for using expanded learning time as a primary ingredient in its turn around.

Edwards’ teachers, Ondrea Johnston and Ted Chambers joined Mass 2020 Vice President Ben Lummis on a panel to help other AFT leaders learn about one of the most impressive school turnarounds in the country.

Using more learning time as a catalyst, Edwards teachers and students reduced the achievement gap with the state by 80 percent in ELA, by two-thirds in science, and 8th graders now exceed state proficiency rate by eight points in math. Low-income, special education, limited English proficiency, African American, and Latino students made extraordinary gains at the Edwards. Each subgroup now exceeds the state proficiency rate for that subgroup in math, and four of the five subgroups outperform that averages in ELA. In addition, students now benefit from a wide variety of enrichment activities, including instrumental music, dance, theater and much more. Click here to find out more about the presentation and Edwards’ success. MORE