Rescuing Failed Urban Schools

Turnaround efforts in three cities and the evolution of a new system of public education

RiShawn BiddleRiShawn BiddleOriginally presented at the Reason Dynamic Cities Originally presented at the Reason Dynamic Cities

Conference (2005)Conference (2005)

URBAN DROPOUT FACTORIES

Freshman entering Indianapolis Public Schools district: 2,900 Number graduated in 2004: 997

LOSING OUT: CHICAGO

MAYORAL CONTROLDaley’s mixed record

CHARTER SCHOOLS THE INDIANAPOLIS EXAMPLE

Too incremental to change failing school districts?

VOUCHERS HELPING SOME KIDS IN MILWAUKEE, BUT NOT CHANGING THE OVERALL

FAILURE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

A HOLLYWOOD MODEL FOR AMERICAN PUBLIC

EDUCATION?• Changing the model of

how education is financed and operated must be done on national and state levels before any reform can work.

• School districts: From school operators to outsourcing operations.

• Charters and privates: Focusing on education, not buses.

• Independent authorizers: Specialists in regulating schools.