The Springfield Promise of equity and proficiency for all of our students is a goal that I believe we are closer to reaching than most people realize.
SPRINGFIELD — As we begin this school year, I am excited and encouraged because our school district is moving in a positive direction.
The Springfield Promise of equity and proficiency for all of our students is a goal that I believe we are closer to reaching than most people realize.
This was the message I shared with approximately 4,000 members of the Springfield Public Schools faculty and staff during a convocation ceremony that occurred the Friday before the first day of school. I was pleased to have the opportunity to highlight for our educators the results of their dedication and hard work.
Our Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test scores are up in almost every area. Student attendance rates are also going up. Truancy is going down. The improvement in our graduation rate last year was three times that of the state average. This summer, our district experienced one of the best summer school graduations we have ever had.
In addition to those positive developments, our district recently settled a ground-breaking teachers' contract and we have either settled or are very close to settling contracts with all of our other major collective bargaining units.
Daniel Warwick is superintendent of the Springfield Public Schools. We have formulated the district's priorities for the next five years as defined in The Springfield Promise Strategic Plan. We have forged a partnership with Harvard University's Education Laboratory. The renovated Forest Park Middle School opened this year. And we continue to rise from the devastation caused by the June 1, 2011 tornadoes, with the renovation of Dryden School and groundbreaking for a new Brookings School.
Certainly, this news on its own is affirming and uplifting. But the message delivered by state education secretary Matthew Malone during the convocation ceremony was all the more exciting. As keynote speaker, secretary Malone shared a fresh perspective; one that could only be observed from someone with his vantage point; one which made us all swell with pride.
Malone explained Springfield's recognition as a school district whose work has been recognized and touted throughout the state.
"People point to Springfield when they are looking for a model of success," he said. Specifically, secretary Malone pointed to our outstanding record for bringing teachers and administrators together to make decisions that are based on the best interest of students.
He told us of the impact, which our "College, YES!" campaign had on educators across the state; he talked about our focus on early education, academic rigor and college-career initiatives. "There is important and noble work going on in Springfield," Malone said during his keynote address.
Certainly, the secretary's message was not lost on me. It is a privilege and honor to serve as superintendent of Springfield Public Schools.
While I know we still have much work to do to realize "The Springfield Promise," I see our progress and accomplishments every day in many ways.
I hope our hard working teachers and principals; students and parents; and education supporters throughout the community recognize and appreciate that progress also.
For more on the Springfield Promise, please visit www.sps.springfield.ma.us
Daniel J. Warwick is superintendent of the Springfield Public Schools; you can learn more about the Springfield Public Schools online at www.sps.springfield.ma.us