Superintendent Alvin L. Crawley has announced that he will be leaving Alexandria City Public Schools this summer to take a position as a professor in the Graduate School of Education at George Mason University in the fall.
Dr. Crawley’s last day with ACPS will be July 28. The Alexandria City School Board will lay out the process for the search for a new superintendent within the next few weeks.
“During his nearly four years as Superintendent, Dr. Crawley has done an outstanding job leading the school division. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of our students and educators. We truly appreciate the steps he has taken to put Alexandria City Public Schools on the path towards becoming a high-performing school division and respect his decision to go on to train the next generation in delivering education,” said School Board Chair Ramee Gentry.
During his tenure, Dr. Crawley has increased student achievement overall and narrowed the achievement gap on state assessments across all schools. He has laid the foundation for an Early College Program in partnership with Northern Virginia Community College, seen Jefferson-Houston School dramatically increase its performance levels and improve its state rankings, revamped summer learning opportunities and realigned the Curriculum and Instruction Department.
He is also responsible for launching ACPS 2020, a five-year division-wide strategic plan that is integrated with the work of the school division and that has launched ACPS on the path to becoming a high-performing school division. ACPS 2020 has helped ACPS become a more transparent and accountable organization.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges that the past four years have brought. It is with mixed feelings that I have decided to take the next step in my career and join the faculty of George Mason University to teach, mentor and conduct research at the university level. While I am sad to leave, I am also ready for a change of pace. I want to thank the School Board, community, staff and students for their unwavering support during my time with ACPS. I will still be part of this community and I look forward to continuing to contribute to Alexandria in a different capacity,” said Dr. Crawley.
Dr. Crawley, a 37-year educator, came to ACPS as Interim Superintendent in October 2013 after serving as Interim Superintendent of Schools in Prince George’s County Public Schools. Previously he held top roles for more than 15 years in Arlington Public Schools, including Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Director of Special Education.—
The following is a statement from the Alexandria City School Board.
The School Board would like to thank Superintendent Crawley for his contribution to Alexandria City Public Schools.
During his nearly four years as Superintendent, Dr. Crawley has done an outstanding job leading the school division. He has tirelessly worked on behalf of our students and educators. We truly appreciate the steps he has taken to put Alexandria City Public Schools on the path towards becoming a high-performing school division and respect his decision to go on to train the next generation in delivering education.
Dr. Crawley’s contributions include:
- Launching ACPS 2020, a five-year divisionwide strategic plan with reporting structures that is truly integrated with the work of the school division;
- Consolidating middle schools to be more cohesive and consistent;
- Increasing overall student achievement performance and narrowing the achievement gap on state assessments across all schools;
- Jefferson-Houston improving its state rankings and coming incredibly close to achieving accreditation;
- Transforming Mount Vernon Community School into a schoolwide Dual Language Program;
- Laying the foundation for an Early College Program in partnership with NOVA;
- Laying the foundation for a new Pre-K Center Program at John Adams;
- Purchasing the first new school building for Alexandria in 17 years;
- Seeing our three middle schools RAMP certified by the American School Counselor Association and establishing a framework to achieve this certification for all ACPS schools;
- Implementing the first divisionwide redistricting initiative since 1999;
- Implementing a Restorative Practice Initiative model at T.C. Williams High School;
- Beginning the process of cultural competency training throughout the division;
- Expanding Chromebooks into middle school and grades 4 and 5 of all elementary schools;
- Developing and implementing the first Teacher Leadership Program with Arlington Public Schools and George Mason University;
- Restructuring the Curriculum and Instruction Department to be better aligned with and responsive to schools, and beginning the work to realign the curriculum itself;
- Overseeing the Comprehensive Budget Audit (CAFR) with excellent ratings for the past three years with awards;
- Creating a Department of School, Community and Business Partnerships to increase partnerships and school support;
- Opening a Middle School International Academy at Hammond;
- Creating a Newcomers English Language Learners Program (NELL);
- Developing and offering the first Summer Learning Opportunities Program in five years;
- Receiving recognition by the College Board for high participation in AP tests given;
- Developing a comprehensive Capital Improvement Program for the modernization of schools;
- Reaching the groundbreaking stage for the new Patrick Henry School;
- Completing the joint City-Schools Long Range Educational Facilities Plan for Elementary, Pre-K and High School;
- Developing a new job applicant tracking and evaluation system;
- Strengthening collaborative relationships with the Education Association of Alexandria (EAA);
- Launching and utilizing the TELL survey to assess teacher working conditions with dramatic improvements in performance;
- Lowering staff attrition rates from 16 percent to 13 percent;
- Implementing a “Governance” process to increase accountability for data monitoring and reporting.
