MassGrad Implementation Awards
Background:
The purpose of the Massachusetts High School Graduation Initiative project (“MassGrad”) led by the Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education (ESE) is to work towards reducing the statewide dropout rate by embracing the local-control elements of the
education system in Massachusetts, while also implementing state-level support that adds considerable value to the local activities
to substantially increase the number of students who earn a high school diploma.
The MassGrad Implementation Awards are multi-year contract awards to develop dropout prevention, intervention, and recovery
strategies. In addition to work within their own district, these MassGrad awardees meet regularly throughout the year as a learning
community to exchange best practices and strategize responses to challenges.
Each Implementation Award recipient can focus on up to three strategies from the following menu of research-based practices:
1. Alternative Pathways to meet a range of student needs
2. Adult advocates for student support
3. Positive school climate and socio-emotional systems of support
4. Service-learning and work-based learning models specifically targeting students most likely to not graduate
5. Credit recovery, credit acceleration, and distance learning expansion
6. Expansion of the school year/ structured learning time and summer transition programs
7. Programs and systems specifically designed to serve transient students, including migrant students, ELL student,
refugees, immigrants, and other newcomers
The table below provides an overview of each of the Implementation Award recipients (districts and high schools), their selected
strategy areas, and a brief description of their activities.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Updated May 7, 2013
MassGrad Implementation Awards
District and School
Selected Strategies and Activities Overview
Attleboro
Attleboro High School
Selected Strategy Areas: Alternative Pathways, Positive School Climate, Work-based Learning
Activities: Attleboro created a “School-Within-a-School” (SWS) alternative pathway at the high school to
serve primarily at-risk grade 9 students. The pathway includes wrap-around services from school and/or
community partners. Students attend classes in a separate wing but have opportunities to spend time with
other grade 9 students during the day, primarily at lunch. The expectation for these students is a return to
the traditional school in Grade 10. The wrap –around services and small student/staff ratio (12:1) supports a
positive school climate. Students are required to participate in CTE exploratory options.
Boston Public Schools:
Boston Adult Technical
Academy (BATA)
Selected Strategy Areas: Adult Advocates, Service/Work-based Learning, ELL Services
BATA serves young adults 19 – 22 years old who have been unsuccessful in completing high school. The
Graduation Coaches (Adult Advocates) provide academic advising and support especially in regards to
attendance, referrals to community resources, and connections to career development opportunities. A
contract with Youth and Family Services provides CNA training leading to certification. An Evening Program
(Ed Options) allows students to attend to family/personal business during the day while completing their
education at night. The evening program includes tutoring options that support ELL students to complete
high school.
Community Academy of
Science and Health
(CASH)
Selected Strategy Areas: Adult Advocates, Credit Recovery, Positive School Climate
At CASH, the Student Support Team identifies and assigns at-risk students to a graduation coach. The coach
works with the student to identify challenges and the supports/interventions necessary to overcome
barriers. The coach monitors the student progress and communicates with the family including home visits
as needed. An attendance coach has added to the personal connections between school and home.
Credit recovery may be a needed intervention and referral to the credit recovery lab may be done by the
support team, teachers or coaches. The efforts of teachers, coaches, administrators and support teams
combine to create a positive school climate.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Updated May 7, 2013
MassGrad Implementation Awards
District and School
Charlestown High
School
Selected Strategies and Activities Overview
Selected Strategy Areas: Alternative Pathways, Service or Work-Based Learning, Expansion of the School
Year
Charlestown High School’s Alternative Pathway follows the guidelines for the nationally recognized Diploma
Plus Program. The student-centered program combines competency-based education, social-emotional
supports, and flexibility in structure to give over-age and under-credit youth a chance to succeed. The
Work-Based learning program provides students year-long internships supported by classroom discussion
and instruction to ensure students gain necessary work=place readiness skills for success on job. And the
grade 9 & 10 teams offer academic support after-school four days a week for extended learning.
Boston Day and
Evening Academy
(BDEA)
Selected strategies: Credit Recovery, Expansion of the School Year
Brockton Public
Schools:
Selected Strategy Areas: Alternative Pathways, Adult Advocates, Expansion of the School Year, Service or
Work-Based Learning
Edison Academy
Edison Academy is an alternative high school operating in the afternoon and evening for students who have
dropped out or are at-risk of dropping out of Brockton High School. In addition, the Academy has a job
developer on staff who helps place students in paid and unpaid internships. The school will be closed for
only 2-3 weeks at the end of August so it offers an expanded school year. At an alternate site but enrolled
through Edison, students may be part of the Pathways Center which provides Engagement Specialists who
help students identify their goals and objectives. Personalized Learning Plans are created at the Pathways
Center as well.
Champion High School
BDEA is a competency-based alternative public charter school. It serves over-age under-credit at-risk youth.
For credit recovery they created Personalized Online Learning (POLL) modules so students can work
independently but in a designated Lab with access to teacher support. There are two parts of the Expansion
of the School Year – one is Summer Bridges which allows students to earn credits through enrichment
activities such as a gardening project - where they plant and harvest produce and then work with a local
restaurant where the produce is used. This year Enrichment Activities were expanded to include offerings on
Fridays and includes activities student might otherwise not have exposure to such as health and wellness
activities, sports, theater and music.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Updated May 7, 2013
MassGrad Implementation Awards
District and School
Selected Strategies and Activities Overview
B.B. Russell Alternative
School
Champion High School houses an alternative program for incoming 9th grade students who have been
identified by middle school counselors and the district’s early warning system as being at high risk to not
graduate. Champion also offers work-based learning opportunities through a T Shirt printing business run
on-site. Finally, Champion offers summer programming to expand the school year.
The B.B. Russell is an alternative school for students who can no longer attend other district schools due to
behavior issues. Adult advocates are an important strategy at this school to help students access the
academic, social and emotional supports as needed.
Chelsea Public Schools:
Chelsea High School
Selected Strategies: Adult Advocates, Credit Recovery, Expansion of the School Year
Chelsea provides identified students in grades 9, 10, 11 with graduation coaches who provide or coordinate
the supports necessary for success. Credit recovery is a content-specific, teacher-led after-school option for
students who fail a course. Peer tutoring is also offered during the school day to prevent student failure.
There are two programs available to students including during the summer. REACH targets rising at-risk 8th
graders as identified by the middle school and focuses on reading and writing while incorporating arts, field
trips and swimming. The REMEDY Program offers student ELA and Math support, goal-setting and career
exploration, and Outward Bound experience.
Fall River Public
Schools:
Selected Strategy Areas: Alternative Pathways, Credit Recovery
B.M.C. Durfee High
School
Durfee High School focuses on credit recovery through school day and after school opportunities. Several
teachers have been trained in course creation so the school has online competency-based and traditional
recovery options.
Resiliency Preparatory
School
Resiliency Preparatory School is an alternative high school for Fall River students at high risk of dropping out.
The school offers a more traditional school day program as well as a Credit Recovery program for students
who are behind in credits and in need of an alternative schedule. As an alternative pathway there are
intensive supports available to meet the needs of all students.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Updated May 7, 2013
MassGrad Implementation Awards
District and School
Selected Strategies and Activities Overview
Holyoke Public Schools:
Selected Strategy Areas: Adult Advocates, Credit Recovery, Expansion of the School Year
Dean Technical
Vocational High School
Both high schools in Holyoke employ the three strategies in similar ways. Each school has 15 graduation
coaches who each work with 10 or less students providing or coordinating supports for academic and social
emotional needs, family engagement, and advocacy with teachers.
PLATO is used for credit recovery in both schools. Each school also offers the Jump Start Academy in the
summer as an expansion of the school year. The academies offer academic support, career exploration,
community building activities along with parent/family engagement.
Holyoke High School
Lawrence Public
Schools:
Selected Strategy Areas: Positive School Climate, Credit Recovery, Expansion of the School Year, ELL
programs and services
In Lawrence, all three targeted schools have now implemented the “Graduation Academy” which is an afterschool credit recovery program at each site.
High School Learning
Center
The High School Learning Center is an alternative high school program for Lawrence Public Schools. The
student population is over-age and under-credit. The program employs the Diploma Plus program to assist
students in reaching the goal of graduation. This competency-based program provides students a different
way to credit attainment.
Business Management
and Finance H.S.
Expansion of the school year is implemented at both Business Management and Finance H.S. and
International H.S. The summer programming includes a grade 8 to 9 Transition Program as well as credit
recovery for students enrolled in any of the high schools.
International H.S.
Positive School Climate is a strategy for both Business Management and Finance H.S. and International H.S.
which utilizes implementation of the Positive Behaviors Intervention and Support (PBIS) Program.
The Newcomers Program that was previously housed at the Learning Center was moved to the International
H. S. so ELL students can have access to more services and supports that are available on the Lawrence High
School campus. In addition, the Summer Program for English Language Learners (SPELL) ensures continued
supports for the ELL population.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Updated May 7, 2013
MassGrad Implementation Awards
District and School
Selected Strategies and Activities Overview
Lowell:
Lowell High School
United Teen Equality
Center (UTEC)
Selected Strategy Areas: Alternative Pathways, Adult Advocates, Positive School Climate
Malden Public Schools:
Malden High School
Selected Strategy Areas: Alternative Pathways, Adult Advocates, Positive School Climate, Service and WorkBased Learning, Credit Recovery
Lowell Public Schools partners with United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) to provide identified students the
Alternative Diploma Program (ADP). This is located at the newly renovated UTEC building. The program
includes project-based learning within a trimester schedule. All students have wraparound services available
through Transitional Coaches and Advisors. In addition, the school climate is supported by a daily opening
called Fresh Inspirations which includes team building activities and/or an inspiring question of the day.
There are also three weekly, focused gatherings: 1) Talking Circle where ADP students share their stories and
build relationships with other students and staff. dent can share and support one another; 2) Leadership
Circle where student voice is encouraged in discussion of school and/or community issues; and 3)
Community Council which is a student-led group that provides input on program expectations, field trip
opportunities, course creation, and service opportunities.
Malden High School includes The Pathways Program for at-risk students. The students have small class size,
1:1 instruction, counseling services and behavioral health support. In addition, the Pathways Program offers
the students opportunities for service or work-based learning. The creation of the GPS Program
(Graduation, Promotion, Success) provides students in the traditional high school a “Navigator” who provides
individual counseling, group counseling and collaborative case management. In addition, the use of teacher
mentors as adult advocates expands the number of students served. For students who fail courses during
the school year, summer school offers PLATO course recovery.
North Adams
Drury High School
Selected Strategy Areas: Alternative Pathways, Adult Advocates, Credit Recovery
Drury High School has created several pathways within the high school to assist at-risk students to meet their
graduation goal. The pathways include modified schedules, blended classroom and supported services,
credit recovery lab, internships, dual enrollment opportunities at Berkshire Community College, and an
offsite academy focused on competency-based education as well as skills necessary for high school
graduation. Also within the high school are graduation coaches who can assist students with academic and
socio- emotional issues. The credit recovery lab allows students access to online courses with adult
guidance.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Updated May 7, 2013
MassGrad Implementation Awards
District and School
Selected Strategies and Activities Overview
Phoenix Charter
Academy
Selected Strategy Area: Adult Advocates, Positive School Climate
Phoenix Academy Charter School utilizes Americorps Fellows to provide student support through facilitated
small group gatherings and one-to-one tutoring. In addition an Attendance Transformation Team (ATT)
supports all students. The wrap-around supports of the advocates as well as a Retention and Intervention
Specialist and a social worker ensure the positive school climate.
Pittsfield Public
Schools:
Pittsfield High School
Taconic High School
Selected Strategy Areas: Alternative Pathways, Credit Recovery, Service or Work-Based Learning
The Bershire Works One Stop Career Center is the location of the alternative pathway for Pittsfield Public
Schools. Both high schools refer students. The flexibility of the program (later start time) and intensive case
management allows students to access credit recovery to meet academic requirements while continuing
their vocational or work-based learning opportunity and participate in job readiness and career exploratory
workshops.
Both high schools offer credit recovery on-site to all students who have failed a course during the school year
through PLATO online system.
Pittsfield also offers an offsite high school program - POP (Positive Options Program) - at Berkshire
Community College.
Quabbin Regional
School District:
Quabbin Regional High
School
Selected Strategy Area: Alternative Pathways, Adult Advocate, Service and Work Based Learning
Somerville Public
Schools:
Somerville High School
Selected Strategy areas: Alternative Pathways, Credit Recovery, ELL programs and services
Quabbin’s Alternative Pathway is content-specific teachers working as a team (PLC) with a cohort of at-risk
grade 9 students in a small learning community. The school has one graduation coach who connects credit
recovery options for students when they fail a course as well as engages in outreach activities with students
who have dropped out. Students who need to recover credits also have an option of participating in a
service-learning project.
Somerville’s alternative pathway is an Evening School with no fees and schedule flexibility. The use of E2020,
an online credit recovery program, along with teacher support allows students to self-pace for completion.
Students may take up to four courses in the Evening School. Credit recovery is also offered during the school
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Updated May 7, 2013
MassGrad Implementation Awards
District and School
Selected Strategies and Activities Overview
day as well as in summer school. Work with ELL students happens at several locations in Somerville so ELL
students can access supports as needed.
Springfield Public
Schools:
High School of
Commerce
High School of Science
and Technology
Roger L. Putnam
Technical Academy
Selected Strategy Areas: Alternative Pathways, Adult Advocates, Credit Recovery
All three schools identify either Career Choices or Strategies For Success as their alternative pathway. This is
a strategy to assist grade 9 students with the transition to high school. The course is designed to support all
grade 9 students in the personal/social, education, and career/life skills domains.
Graduation coaches are employed at High School of Commerce and Roger L. Putnam Technical Academy. In
both schools they provide targeted assistance to those students identified at-risk for failing. They coordinate
supports, work with guidance counselors to prevent dropouts, broker conversations with teachers and
students, and ensure use of credit recovery when applicable.
Each high school offers a credit recovery lab and the opportunity for students to attend during designated
times. In addition, there is a pilot program for students who have dropped out to return to school utilizing
the credit recovery lab rather than be placed in classes with much younger students.
Whitman Hanson
Regional School
District:
Whitman Hanson
Regional High School
Selected Strategy Areas: Alternative Pathways
Whitman Hanson created a school-within-a-school model for their at-risk population focused on supports
and flexibility in scheduling to engage students. In addition, they are serving students in a Community
Evening School as well as in an after-school diploma granting program. All programs provide flexibility and
supports for student success.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Updated May 7, 2013