Council of the Great City Schools names Superintendent Johnson "Urban Education Leader of the Year'
INDIANAPOLIS th Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson has received the nation's highest honor for urban education leadership.
(Media-Newswire.com) - INDIANAPOLIS – Boston Public Schools ( BPS ) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson has received the nation’s highest honor for urban education leadership. In a ceremony Thursday, Johnson was awarded the 2012 Richard R. Green Award at the Council of the Great City Schools’ 56th Annual Fall Conference.
Ten big-city school superintendents competed for the top prize in leadership, which is given in alternating years to an outstanding school board member and superintendent from 67 of the largest urban school systems in the country. The Green Award is named in honor of the first African-American chancellor of the New York City school system.
Johnson this fall began her sixth year as Superintendent. She and the Boston School Committee have established an Acceleration Agenda to serve as a blueprint for school leaders, teachers, parents and the community to close achievement gaps and contribute to the advancement of every learner.
Her efforts include a major expansion of arts and athletic programming through expanded partnerships; a doubling of summer academic learning opportunities and new pathways to graduation; a new approach to educating English Language Learners; increased inclusive settings for students with disabilities; school turnaround strategies that are successfully transforming lower-performing schools, and an expansion of high-quality schools to offer more opportunities for students. Under her leadership, the District has shifted to an equitable school funding formula that ensures dollars can meet students’ needs no matter what school they attend.
Under Superintendent Johnson the BPS graduation rate has risen to its highest level since records have been kept and the drop-out rate is at one of the lowest levels in the last 20 years.
“Congratulations to Carol Johnson in receiving the Richard Green Award,” said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “Superintendent Johnson is one of the most dedicated educational professionals in this country and this award speaks volumes to her knowledge and expertise in transforming the education systems not only here in Boston but across our nation. This distinguished award solidifies the great respect her colleagues have for her and her tireless work in changing the face of public school policies to benefit the learning opportunities for all of our children. I am proud she has been willing to stay in Boston and continue our great work in accelerating our progress.”
“Carol Johnson is well deserving of this award,” said the Rev. Gregory G. Groover, chair of the Boston School Committee. “She is highly regarded as a leader and a pioneer in urban schooling.”
"Dr. Johnson never loses sight of why she is the leader of schools in the Great City of Boston,” says Council Executive Director Michael Casserly. “Educating students to their highest levels is always foremost in her mind. We are fortunate that she has also been a longtime leader of the Council, sharing her knowledge to improve urban schools nationally.”
As the recipient of the Richard R. Green Award, BPS receives a $10,000 college scholarship to present to a high school senior.
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