Marshall High and other turnaround high schools, in Chicago and nationally, face a thorny dilemma. Higher-performing students are being siphoned off through competition, driving down enrollment and raising tough policy questions about the future of these schools.
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"Off With Their Heads" In DC
By: Alexander Russo / May 09, 2008
You think things are rough in Chicago, well in DC the superintendent just fired the principal from her kids' own school (Principal of School That Rhee's Children Attend Is Dismissed Washington Post) -- considered one of the best schools in the city. DC principals serve on one year contracts and a bunch of them are getting the ax this year (Schools Chancellor Moves to Dismiss Principals).
Superintendent Rhee is also offering a big buyout plan to try and get rid of some teachers (Some Union Officials Tell Teachers To Spurn District's Buyout Offer), and bringing in outside folks to help run struggling schools (Rhee Names 6 Firms Eyed To Help Run 10 CampusesWashington Post).
Last but not least, her arrival has set off a conflict within the teachers union there between the president and one of his officers (Teachers' Fret City Paper). Sound familiar?
"Off With Their Heads" In DC
This sounds much like the to-do here in Chicago at Inter-American. I think the broader story is the unique clash at dual-language schools between typically-elite Anglo (and other non-Latino) parents who want Spanish for their children, and the other parents who provide that desired demographic.
I hope the broader story of what happened/is happening gets exposed and told some day.
"Off With Their Heads" In DC
I am not surprized to read this story. I've heard that Ray School, where our CEO's mother volunteers, has a similar problem when parents or teachers don't like something going on and tell momma, who tells Arne. Has anyone else heard this?