Mass. Works To Turn Around Underperforming Schools

State education leaders say they are encouraged by progress being made at the state's 35 under-performing schools.

Massachusetts launched a multimillion dollar overhaul last year, extending the school day by as much as 90 minutes in about half the schools, installing new principals at 20, and replacing at least half the faculty in many.

Schools are turning to innovative and technological solutions. One school has given every seventh-grader a laptop. Another is teaching English to parents so they can help with homework. Several Boston schools have enlisted volunteers to tutor students.

Paul Reville, the state's education secretary, tells The Boston Globe he sees "momentum" in many schools.

Twelve schools are in Boston, 10 are in Springfield, and the rest are in Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford and Worcester.