On October 29, 2024, Acting Commissioner Johnston announced the exit of John Avery Parker Elementary School from chronically underperforming status, pending exit assurances (anticipated winter 2025).
Parker 2024 exit announcement
Parker 2024 exit announcement — Portuguese
Parker 2024 exit announcement — Spanish
On July 10, 2023, Commissioner Riley pursuant to M.G.L. c. 69, § 1J(w) and 603 CMR 2.00, determined that the John Avery Parker Elementary School in New Bedford will remain in chronically underperforming status, and the turnaround plan will be renewed for three years.
Parker Renewed Turnaround Plan
Parker Renewed Turnaround Plan — Spanish
Parker Renewed Turnaround Plan Letter
Parker Renewed Turnaround Plan Letter — Spanish
On April 10, 2023, Commissioner Riley approved amendments to the professional compensation system for the John Avery Parker School, effective during the 2023-2024 school year. The amendments were incorporated into the turnaround plan.
Amendment to the John Avery Parker Turnaround Plan
Letter to Superintendent, New Bedford Public Schools
On March 24, 2022, Commissioner Riley approved an amendment to the schedule for students and teachers at John Avery Parker School, effective during the 2022-2023 school year. The amendments were incorporated into the turnaround plan.
Parker Turnaround Plan Amendment
Parker Proposal to Turnaround Plan Amendment
On August 2, 2021, Commissioner Riley sent the following letter regarding the turnaround plan for the John Avery Parker School.
Parker Turnaround Plan Extension Letter, August 2, 2021
On July 13, 2021, Commissioner Riley removed the label and reference to "Master Teacher" in chronically underperforming school and district turnaround plans and replaced it with "Expert Teacher."
Removal of terminology from Turnaround Plans, July 13, 2021
On July 20, 2020, Commissioner Riley sent the following letter regarding the turnaround plan to the receiver of the school.
Parker Turnaround Plan Extension Letter
On June 29, 2019 the Commissioner approved School & Main Inc.'s request to modify Appendix A of the John Avery Parker Elementary School's turnaround plan.
Parker Compensation Approval Letter
Parker Renewed Turnaround Plan Appendix A
On November 1, 2018, the Parker plan was updated to reflect the change in receiver.
On April 5, 2018, Acting Commissioner Wulfson named School & Main Institute as receiver for the John Avery Parker School, effective July 1, 2018.
Parker School's Receiver Appointment Letter
Parker School's Receiver Appointment Letter — Portuguese
Parker School's Receiver Appointment Letter — Spanish
Parker School's Receiver Announcement Letter
Parker School's Receiver Announcement Letter — Portuguese
Parker School's Receiver Announcement Letter — Spanish
On August 18, 2017, Acting Commissioner Jeff Wulfson pursuant to M.G.L. c. 69, § 1J(w) and 603 CMR 2.00, determined that the John Avery Parker Elementary School in New Bedford will remain in chronically underperforming status (Level 5), and the turnaround plan will be renewed for three years.
On January 15, 2017, Commissioner Chester approved Superintendent Durkin's request to modify the John Avery Parker Elementary School's Turnaround Plan.
Commissioner's Letter to Superintendent Durkin
Parker Plan Manager Revisions to Turnaround Plan
On January 6, 2017, Commissioner Chester approved Superintendent Durkin's request to modify the John Avery Parker Elementary School's Turnaround Plan.
Commissioner's Letter to Superintendent Durkin — Spanish
Parker Turnaround Plan Amendment — Spanish
On May 19, 2014, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education heard the appeal made by the New Bedford Educators Association (NBEA) regarding the Parker Turnaround Plan. The Board voted to accept three of NBEA's proposed modifications. Below is the Parker Elementary School Final Chronically Underperforming Turnaround Plan, as modified by the Board.
Parker Final Chronically Underperforming Turnaround Plan as Modified by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Updated Parker Financial Information
On May 9, 2014, the New Bedford Educators Association (NBEA) filed an appeal regarding the Parker final Chronically Underperforming turnaround plan. On May 14, 2014, Commissioner Chester issued a memo to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), responding to that appeal. The Board will consider the appeal at its meeting on May 19, 2014.
NBEA Parker Chronically Underperforming Appeal Cover Letter
NBEA Parker Chronically Underperforming Appeal
NBEA Parker Chronically Underperforming Appeal Attachments A–E
NBEA Parker Chronically Underperforming Appeal Attachments F–M
Commissioner Chester's Memo to BESE
DESE Memo to the Board from Legal Office
On April 9, 2014, Commissioner Chester issued his final Chronically Underperforming Turnaround Plan for Parker Elementary School. Commissioner Chester has also issued a memo identifying which proposed modifications were incorporated into the final plan.
Final Parker Elementary School Turnaround Plan
Modifications Memo
The statute (M.G.L. c. 69, § 1J(p),) affords the Superintendent, school committee, and Local Stakeholder Group the opportunity to propose modifications to the preliminary Parker turnaround plan. The following modifications were proposed by April 7, 2014.
Modifications Proposed by the Parker Local Stakeholder Group
NBEA Recommendations for the Parker School Preliminary
On March 7, 2014, Commissioner Chester released the preliminary Chronically Underperforming turnaround plan for John Avery Parker Elementary School.
John Avery Parker Elementary School: Preliminary Chronically Underperforming turnaround plan, March 7, 2014
John Avery Parker Elementary School: Appendix B Preliminary MAGs, March 7, 2014
On January 29, 2014, Commissioner Chester announced that New Bedford Superintendent Pia Durkin will implement the turnaround plan at Parker Elementary School. The Commissioner will provide Superintendent Durkin with additional autonomies to oversee the turnaround work. More information about New Bedford Public Schools can be found on the district's web site: New Bedford Public Schools
Additional documents related to Parker's Chronically Underperforming status:
John Avery Parker Elementary School Local Stakeholder Group Recommendations
Last Updated: October 29, 2024
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