I'll sign off today with a positive story of a former Memphian making progress in turning around one of Chicago's most troubled public schools. The New York Times mentions Jammie Poole, a former girls basketball coach at Melrose High, in this story about efforts to reshape failing schools around the country. Education Secretary Arne Duncan wants to use some of the policies that he used as Chicago's education CEO on a national level. Poole was recruited and trained by the nonprofit Academy for Urban School Leadership for the ambitious task of remaking Orr Academy High School. The effort was met with skepticism from students and community leaders alike, but now Poole is being hailed for his success. NPR interviewed him in a similar story last year.
Could something like the AUSL tried in Chicago work with some of Memphis' most-troubled schools? Education consultant Bryan Hassel tells the Times that results have been mixed:
Could something like the AUSL tried in Chicago work with some of Memphis' most-troubled schools? Education consultant Bryan Hassel tells the Times that results have been mixed:
"A lot of these school turnarounds are going to fail because the work is so difficult," Mr. Hassel said. "But as a nation, we'll never have the capacity to do this work successfully until we make the commitment."
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