Madison Park is making progress

THIS WEEK the Globe told the story of those who are asking us to do even more to transform Madison Park Technical Vocational High School into a place of excellence — and we would certainly agree with these voices (“Overhaul urged at Madison Park,” Metro, June 17).

But let us also note the progress we have already made together: Today, Madison Park students learn on 1,000 iPads, laptops, and computers that we purchased in the last three years. Last spring we invested $370,000 to turn the building into the most technologically advanced school in the city. This year we provided more than $1.1 million to expand learning time and strengthen the industry partnerships that will connect classrooms to careers.

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There is more on the way this fall, when Madison Park teachers will have $350,000 worth of new textbooks and $340,000 in new technical/vocational materials and supplies to help students become experts in the careers of tomorrow. Next week the school community will conduct final interviews for a permanent headmaster.

We are so proud of Madison Park students. In just the last year, the graduation rate jumped 5 percentage points. The percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced on MCAS surged 16 points in English Language Arts and 6 points in mathematics. As we discuss the future of this school and the opportunities next door at Roxbury Community College, let us build on this forward momentum.

Carol R. Johnson

Superintendent,
Boston Public Schools

Boston