High School Reform in Boston Public Schools: The Effect of Focus on High Schools on Student Academic Outcomes.

The Focus on High Schools initiative is intended to transform Boston’s 12 comprehensive high schools into more effective institutions by breaking them down into smaller, more intimate learning communities and reforming their English and language arts programs. This report focuses on changes in students’ academic outcomes after implementation of the initiative. The study found reductions in math and English scores. On the positive side, days absent and tardy were lower, along with student suspensions. There was also an overall increase in promotions to the next grade, concentrated among special education students.