The state of Massachusetts is giving 35 underperforming schools an educational ultimatum: Start making dramatic improvements or face a state takeover.
About 17,000 students attend the schools, which are mostly in Boston and Springfield. The schools have been evaluated on a set of criteria including low math and English scores and the number of students failing to graduate. If they’re unable to improve their performance in three years, they could be placed under state receivership.
They are the first schools designated underperforming under a new state law signed by Gov. Deval Patrick in January. The law is designed to close a persistent achievement gap between schools in poorer and richer communities.
