Turning Around Troubled Schools
Signs of how Education Secretary Arne Duncan plans to fix failing schools, via his work in Chicago
This success hasn't come cheap. Urban teacher academies cost more upfront than most other pathways to teacher certification. The turnaround schools receive federal and state funds, but AUSL must raise private funds to support the teacher-training academies. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is contributing $10 million over four years to AUSL. There is also no definitive research linking urban teacher academies with improved student performance. But supporters, including Obama, who has proposed creating 200 such teacher residency programs nationwide, say the investment is worthwhile. "If you want to make a fundamental change in the lowest-performing schools, you need to have dedicated and capable teachers who have high expectations and are willing to go the extra mile," Feinstein says.
At Howe, students say the new teachers are making a difference. The school was recently abuzz with excitement over the wrestling team's win at the city championships. A new teacher introduced the program at the beginning of the year to help students cope with anger and keep them motivated in school. "Last year we had no core values," says Devonte, an eighth grader. "Now, we got rules and teachers who want you to learn." Kimyatta, the student who returned to Howe after leaving last year, interrupts, summing up perhaps the biggest change at the school, "There are other students who care."
Reader Comments
AUSL has another side
What this article didn't tell everyone is that not all AUSL schools have good teacher retention. One in particular is using the mask of 'education reform' to instead teach to the test. I taught for one year at that particular AUSL school and will be the first to tell anyone that before accolades are given to this organization, some of its schools need new leadership. If teachers can't be retained because of top-bottom micromanagement and tactless leadership, then how is that benefiting urban students? This article does a great job of highlighting what it is that urban students so desperately need, however I am not convinced that wearing teachers out over student test scores--such as one unnamed AUSL school does--is the answer to urban educational problems. (by the way-not all 'mentor' teachers are actually veteran teachers).
Tlyjpivh
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Everyone's Accountable
I am a teacher who teachers at an at-risk school. Our school is successful, because we have "strong" leadership in the building. The teacher's strengths are used to get things done efficently and effectively. We have team meetings that support the teachers and students efforts. There is a consistent learning environment that has been estabhished throughout the school. Every child and parent understands the expectations and consequences of our school's behavioral and learning expectations. We collobrate to look at our assessment data and use well researched theories to plan out ways to help our students increase achievement. We reach out to our parents and develop good trusting relationships. Most students want to learn, but haven't been taught the skills to be successful.
I believe a successful school begins with a strong principal. Principals,too need to be monitored by their bosses. Principals should be walking around their buildings monitoring their teachers. Making sure that the highest quality of teaching and learning is taking place. There are many schools operating with great teachers, but led by inept principals. Look at the "whole" picture, before yanking around good teachers and principals out of their positions.
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