In 1972, Mary Ellen Smith, Hubert Jones, Francis Parkman, Clyde Miller and other citizens, parents, and community activists met to find a way to participate in the process of choosing a superintendent of the Boston Public Schools. The Coalition sought input from large numbers of neighborhood residents and organizations to help develop "Community Agenda for the Boston Public Schools," an outline of questions and issues to use during the interview process. Although unsuccessful in choosing a candidate that met all of their requirements, the Coalition was successful in building a consensus on many areas of school reform and in establishing a broad-base of community supporters. The Coalition incorporated in 1973 with the mission to provide Boston's citizens with clear and accurate information and organizing skills to participate in the making of educational policy. From 1974-1978, Coalition staff actively participated in desegregating Boston's public schools by disseminating accurate information to parents through both the Rumor Control Center and its newsletter, reports, and parent guides; cooperating with local and federal authorities on safety procedures in the schools and bus routes; and working with students, parents, teachers and school administrators to find ways in which to improve educational opportunities. From the 1980s until the Coalition disbanded in 2000, it advocated for school reform by providing parents with the skills necessary to participate in forming education policy, and by publishing newsletters, fact sheets, and reports on issues, such as the Boston Public School's budget, teacher contracts, principal and headmaster promotional ratings, and programs offered in the schools.
From the description of Citywide Educational Coalition records, 1972-2001. (Northeastern University). WorldCat record id: 141201189
