New Bedford’s Parker School Deemed No Longer ‘Chronically Underperforming’

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford’s John Avery Parker Elementary School has been removed from state receivership and is no longer classified as “chronically underperforming.”

In a letter to New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, who also serves as Chair Ex Officio of the New Bedford School Committee, Acting Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Russell D. Johnston praised the “significant improvements” at the West End school.

“My decision to exit Parker from state receivership recognizes the significant improvements that the school has made across all of the key areas of concern highlighted in its original 2014 turnaround plan,” Johnston wrote.

Parker Elementary was identified by DESE as Chronically Underperforming (formerly known as Level 5) in 2013 and a turnaround plan was put together that would focus on six central challenges: low instructional rigor, limited capacity to make rapid course corrections, inefficient scheduling, lack of data use to improve instruction, ineffective behavior supports, and limited capacity to engage families as partners in their children’s learning.

Through the perseverance and commitment of Parker's students, families, staff, leaders and partners, the school has strengthened its practices in all of these areas, as measured by the school’s proficient ratings in the Department’s progress monitoring system,” Johnston wrote.

He pointed out that since School & Main Institute was appointed as the school’s receiver in 2018, Parker has “consistently achieved percentile rankings at or above the 15th percentile in the state accountability system.”

SMI will remain as receiver and the school’s turnaround plan remains in effect pending the approval of exit assurances, Johnston said, but that he looks forward to the transition as Parker “returns to local governance.”

Mayor Mitchell said the school will now be “in better hands.”

“Thanks to the dedication of the Parker School’s teachers and staff, the school has made steady progress over the past few years,” Mitchell said. “We believe the school is in better hands with the district, and we look forward to the next chapter there.”

New Bedford Schools Superintendent Andrew O’Leary expressed his thanks to the many educators and administrators for their work leading up to the change in status.

“From Principal Paul Fay in 2012, to current Principal Jacell Suarez, I have been fortunate to work with leaders and educators, friends and colleagues at John Avery Parker Elementary, as they have navigated the challenges of receivership," he said. "This is a great opportunity to acknowledge their hard work and commitment to the students and families served over the past decade.”

“We have outlined a conversion plan to ensure three and four-year olds in preschool are better served in a dedicated early childhood center. The School Committee will likely take up the plan in December," O'Leary said.

Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) lauded the school and promised continued support in a statement.

“The teachers and staff at Parker Elementary have worked tirelessly for many years to get to this day for our children,” Montigny said. “Moving forward the district must listen carefully to the needs of the hardworking staff and families as the future of Parker is further deliberated.”

“I remain committed to continuing the historic influx of legislative appropriations to the city's schools through Chapter 70 state aid and capital building programs to further enhance our public schools while minimizing the impact on local taxpayers,” he said.