Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley announced today he plans to step down from his role in March after more than six years as commissioner, and more than three decades in education working to improve academic outcomes and learning opportunities for all students in K-12 schools in the Commonwealth.

Since 2018, Commissioner Riley has led the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s efforts to improve student achievement, increase student supports, encourage teacher innovation, and diversify the teacher workforce in Massachusetts.  

“We’re grateful for Commissioner Riley’s leadership to make sure Massachusetts continues to have the greatest schools in the country and to support our incredible students and educators every step of the way, particularly through the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We thank him for his years of service for the people of Massachusetts and wish him the very best in this new chapter.”

“Commissioner Riley led DESE through a transformative period, overcoming unprecedented challenges and working hard to ensure that every student in Massachusetts receives a high-quality education,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Governor Healey and I have appreciated his partnership throughout the first year of our administration and thank him for his leadership on behalf of the people of Massachusetts.”

“Commissioner Riley has dedicated himself to the students, schools, and educators of the Commonwealth for the past six years, and we are grateful for his tireless commitment to improving educational achievement and opportunities for all students during his tenure. As an educator, a school administrator, and now as Secretary, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of the Commissioner’s leadership,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “It has been a true pleasure to work with the Commissioner, ensuring a stable transition across our education system with a new administration, and I wish him luck and good fortune in the next phase of his career.”

“From an early age, my parents instilled in me the belief that anyone can do anything in this country if they just worked hard enough. I came to realize, however, that only works if all kids start in the same place. In my 30-plus years in education, I have strived to level the playing field to give all children equal opportunities to achieve. It has been the honor of my lifetime to work on behalf of the students, teachers, and families of the Commonwealth. I am very grateful for the opportunity and proud of what our team at DESE has accomplished.”

Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley

“During an historic time of pandemic, societal and educational disruption, Commissioner Riley led the Commonwealth’s schools by prioritizing the urgent need to return children to in-school learning. From his advocacy for universal school meals, his groundbreaking work in creating, championing and expanding the Early College program across Massachusetts, his nationally recognized work on Deeper Learning, to his support for access to high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction for all students, Massachusetts students will enjoy the benefits of his work for years to come,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Board Chair Katherine Craven.

“Massachusetts is seen as a leader in education in the country. Commissioner Riley, one of our longest tenured State Education Chiefs, has cemented that reputation with his work on Deeper Learning and an innovative science assessment. I consider him a great colleague and thank him for his service to public education,” said United States Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

Throughout his service, Commissioner Riley advanced the adoption of new curriculum frameworks, including a comprehensive health and physical education framework that is responsive to students’ needs, supported a significant expansion of after-dark career technical education programs and Early College programs, and promoted rigorous, engaging, Deeper Learning opportunities for all students, among other efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led efforts to safely reopen schools, through collaboration with infectious disease physicians and multiple state agencies. DESE produced nation-leading COVID-19 school reopening guidance in June 2020 and served as an early and continuous advocate for a safe return to in-person learning. Under his leadership, DESE launched pooled testing for all public and private schools in the Commonwealth, making Massachusetts one of the first states in the nation to provide COVID testing in schools statewide. DESE also issued comprehensive guidance to support students’ academic and social-emotional recovery from the pandemic, and provided districts with access to mental health grants, new tutoring programs, and acceleration academies.

Commissioner Riley spent much of his career working in urban school districts, including Boston and Lawrence. He began his teaching career at a middle school in Baltimore. He went on to work in the Boston Public Schools, serving as principal at the Edwards Middle School, where he was credited with revitalizing the school. His work at the Edwards School led him to be appointed the Academic Superintendent in charge of all middle and K-8 schools in the Boston Public School district. 

In 2012, he took on the challenge to turn around the Lawrence Public Schools as the first state-appointed receiver of a school district. He served as receiver for six years, successfully instituting programs that improved student achievement scores on the MCAS, raised graduation rates, lowered dropout rates, and assembled a group of parent advisors for each school in the 13,000-student district. His work to improve the Lawrence Public Schools garnered national attention.

Commissioner Riley plans to step down from his role as Commissioner on March 15 and will recommend Deputy Commissioner Russell Johnston to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to serve as the Acting Commissioner. To support the transition, Commissioner Riley will be available to serve as an advisor through the end of the school year.

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About DESE:

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides leadership, oversight, funding, support and accountability for the Commonwealth’s approximately 400 school districts which educate close to 1 million public school children each year.

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The above press release was submitted to us by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.