Focus on High Schools

Product or Programme · All products and programmes
Evidence · 3 claims (2 for, 1 against) · 1 study (1 causal), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 3 claims rest on one study

Description

A Boston Public Schools reform programme that reorganized comprehensive high schools into smaller learning communities and reformed English and language arts programmes.

Components

• Focus on High Schools initiative (Boston Public Schools): The Focus on High Schools initiative was a Boston Public Schools reform "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." The Mathematica report evaluated its effects on student academic outcomes, finding score reductions alongside improved attendance and promotion outcomes. (Susanne James-Burdumy et al. (2008))

Claims

• After the Focus on High Schools initiative, days absent, days tardy, and student suspensions were lower [+W]
• Boston's Focus on High Schools initiative was associated with reductions in student math and English scores after implementation [-W]
• The initiative was associated with an overall increase in promotions to the next grade, concentrated among special education students [+W]

Related Products and Programmes

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Key Sources

• Susanne James-Burdumy, Irma Perez-Johnson, Sonya Vartivarian. (2008). High School Reform in Boston Public Schools: The Effect of Focus on High Schools on Student Academic Outcomes. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/high-school-reform-in-boston-public-schools-the-effect-of-focus-on-high-schools-on-student-academic-outcomes

Page metadata

Field	Value
type	product
id	focus-on-high-schools
title	Focus on High Schools
description	A Boston Public Schools reform programme that reorganized comprehensive high schools into smaller learning communities and reformed English and language arts programmes.
status	review
moved_from	element/focus-on-high-schools-initiative-boston
product_kind	programme
generated	by process:sweep-kinds on 2026-10-10
trust	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources	1 — susanne-james-burdumy-2008

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