Massachusetts seeks to overhaul Lawrence schools

From The Boston Globe: Massachusetts education officials plan to announce a first-of-its-kind overhaul of the failing Lawrence school system that calls for increased instructional time and a partnership between charter schools and the school district. The state is trying to improve performance in a district where fewer than half of the students graduate from high school in four years. The plan also seeks to fix deteriorating school buildings; empower teachers, principals, parents and community members to lead school change efforts; and overhaul programs for students learning to speak English.