Over the past two years, Mayor Flanagan has taken significant steps to improve Fall River's educational system and ensure that the city's schools are creating an educated workforce.  Under Flanagan's leadership, Fall River completed a district improvement plan that emphasizes college and career readiness.  The school system partnered with Northeastern University to allow Fall River students to take online courses. And the city partnered with Teach for America to help ensure educational opportunity in the school system.   

The efforts of Mayor Flanagan and school officials are already showing results.   Fall River's dropout rate has decreased, and the graduation rate has increased.  Durfee High School has doubled the number of students in Advanced Placement courses, and tripled the number of qualifying AP test scores.  As a result, Fall River was one of just four Math & Science Initiative School districts in Massachusetts named to College Board’s Advanced Placement Achievement List.  

Mayor Flanagan will push to continue this achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math education in order for Fall River's students to compete in the 21st century economy.  He believes that if we can raise the level of talent here in Fall River, it will be easier to attract, grow, and retain new business.