Worcester leaders gathered last Thursday for a spirited conversation on the opportunity that the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) presents to help Gateway Cities realize their vision for educational excellence.

Here are four takeaways from their dialogue:

1. A measure that “raises the bar” is critical. When urban students see that they can meet the
   highest standards, such as the AP exam, it gives the boost of confidence they need as they move on to challenging post-secondary pursuits.

2.  School climate measures that capture the level of parent engagement will draw attention to effective efforts to build inclusive school communities. These data will also help identify the contribution of parent engagement efforts to overall school improvement.

3.  School climate measures that capture the quality of advising and support services will provide a better indicator of how well schools are providing assistance that students say is essential to their success beyond high school.

4.  Scorecards that make transparent data that are not included in the formal accountability determination, like access to and participation in the arts, will help ensure that all students have access to enrichment opportunities that support social and emotional development.

Thank you to our partners, the Worcester Education Collaborative and the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, and all of the Worcester leaders who joined us for this important dialogue. 

Watch the videos below for an overview on ESSA as an opening to advance the Gateway Cities Vision and thoughts on next generation education accountability from Worcester leaders.

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Read reporting on the event from the

Telegram and Gazette

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Panel says there are many ways to measure students beyond tests

WORCESTER – A teachers union president, a school administrator, and a high school student all agreed at a panel conversation Thursday morning: there is room in the state’s next accountability standards for factors other than test scores.

Other speakers at the event, which was hosted by MassINC and the Worcester Education Collaborative at the Beechwood Hotel, also expressed optimism that Worcester and other “Gateway Cities” in the state in particular could be helped by a new approach to measuring school success. Learn More

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 Read the latest research!

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Advancing the Gateway Cities Vision: The Potential of Next-Generation Approaches to Education Accountability

We’ve got a prime opportunity to advance the Gateway Cities Vision. In 2013, Gateway City leaders came together to develop an “education vision.” Their farsighted plan leverages unique urban assets to create exceptional learning environments. Achieving this vision is fundamental to making Gateway Cities more attractive communities for families to live and more productive places for employers to locate. In today’s economy, nothing is more central to the economic revitalization of these cities and their regions than realizing this education vision. Learn More