New Bedford schools chief commits to work with community to address dropout crisis

January 15, 2009

On January 13, Dr. Porsche Bonner, Superintendent of Schools in New Bedford, MA, agreed to sign a "Community Education Compact" with PICO affiliate United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts (UIA) that lays out three goals for reforming the school system:

1. Raise the high school graduation rate by 80% incrementally in five years;
2. Increase the number of students going to college by 25% in four years;
3. Promote stronger parent-school relationships.

After agreeing to sign the Compact, Dr. Bonner reemphasized her shared commitment for systemic change in the New Bedford schools, and her desire to work with UIA on making the goals of the compact a reality.

The victory comes more than a year-and-a-half after UIA began working to address the drop-out epidemic in the New Bedford school system.  UIA leaders first introduced the Community Education Compact at a town hall meeting in May with over 500 community members, where New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang and 4 out of 6 school committee members signed on to the document.

With the school committee, Mayor and Superintendent on board, UIA is now preparing the next phase of the campaign, which involves the creation and implementation of new programs and initiatives to achieve the goals laid out in the compact. 

For more information on United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts, visit www.unitedinterfaithaction.org