• New Leader in Chicago, p.3 • Top Scholars Named, p.6 • Denver Budget Up, p.9 LEGISLATIVE • Program vs. Program, p.10

The Nation’s Voice for Urban Education May 2011 Vol. 20, No. 4 www.cgcs.org

Council Report On Black Males Sparking ‘Change’

When an eye-opening report in No- vember woke the nation to a crisis among young black males, many urban school dis- tricts heeded the study’s call for change and are considering or launching initiatives to help African-American male students suc- ceed in life. The report by the Council of the Great City Schools -- A Call for Change: The So- cial and Educational Factors Contributing to the Outcomes of Black Males in the Urban Schools -- presented stark data on the dif-

Black Males continued on page 4 President Obama addresses the Booker T. Washington High School commencement in Memphis as he is flanked, left to right, by valedictorian Alexis Wilson and BTW principal Alisha Kiner. Photo Credit: Robert Jackson Stage Set for Council’s President Obama Applauds Graduates Fall Conference At Historic School in Memphis

In Boston President Obama delivered a com- stand a chance.’ mencement address May 16 to graduates “We are here today because every single V i c t o r i a of the Booker T. Washington High School one of you stood tall and said, ‘Yes, we can.’ “Vicki” Ken- in Memphis, the city’s oldest high school Yes, we can learn. Yes, we can succeed. You nedy, widow for black students, established in 1926 dur- decided you would not be defined by where of the late U.S. ing segregation, and the alma mater of civil you come from but by where you want to Senator Ed- rights legend Benjamin Hooks. go, by what you want to achieve, the dreams ward Kennedy, “Every commencement is a day of cel- you hope to fulfill,” he stressed. will welcome ebration,” Obama said at the graduation The president selected Memphis’ Book- urban school ceremony at the Memphis Cook Conven- er T. Washington High School as the win- leaders at the tion Center. ner of the Race to the Top School Com- Council of the “This one is especially hopeful because mencement Challenge after some 400 Great City Vicki Kennedy some people say that schools like BTW high schools around the nation competed Schools’ An- just aren’t supposed to succeed in Amer- for the honor to have the president as the nual Fall Con- ica. You’ll hear them say, ‘The streets are commencement speaker. ference, Oct. 26-30, in Boston. too rough in those neighborhoods.’ The BTW was among six finalists chosen Fall Conference continued on page 8 schools are too broken.’ ‘The kids don’t -- four of the schools, including Memphis, Memphis continued on page 4 INSIDE THE COUNCIL MAY 2011

Miami, Schools Win College Board’s Inspiration Awards

At Mater Academy Middle/High School in Miami, more than 80 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced- price lunch, yet the school has a gradua- tion rate of more than 90 percent and more than 90 percent of seniors are accepted to college. And at Furr High School in Houston, the average family income of most stu- dents rank among the lowest in Texas, yet nearly 80 percent of seniors will take an Advanced Placement (AP) exam this year, while 97 percent of this year’s graduating seniors were accepted to a college or uni- versity. For their success in improving academ- ic achievement, the schools were recently selected as recipients of the 2011 College Board Inspiration Awards. The awards are Houston’s Furr High School Principal Bertie Simmons accepts the College Board Inspiration Award during an assembly as presented to three high schools across the Houston Schools Superintendent Terry Grier and College Board President Gaston Caperton look on. Photo Credit: Houston nation that are helping underserved stu- ISD dents achieve access to higher education, despite overwhelming odds. grades 6-12 and places a strong emphasis, vice, ranging from admission to financial The awards also recognize schools for starting with students in sixth grade, on aid, to help parents prepare their children their outstanding college-preparation pro- preparing students to attend post second- for college. And each year, the school takes grams and partnerships among teachers, ary institutions. Many of the students at seniors on a five-day tour of college cam- parents and community organizations. the Miami school will be the first in their puses. Each winning school receives $25,000. families to attend college, so the school At Houston’s Furr High School, all stu- Mater Academy serves students in offers Parent Academies that provide ad- Inspiration Awards continued on page 3

Executive Director Editor Associate Editor Michael Casserly Henry Duvall Tonya Harris [email protected] [email protected]

Council officers A newsletter published by the Council of the Great City Schools, representing 65 of the nation’s largest urban public school districts. Chair Dilafruz Williams Albuquerque Chicago Fort Worth Louisville Oklahoma City St. Louis Board Member, Portland, Ore. Anchorage Cincinnati Fresno Memphis Omaha St. Paul Chair-elect Atlanta Clark Co. Greensboro Miami-Dade Orange Co. San Diego Beverly Hall Austin Cleveland Houston Milwaukee Palm Beach San Francisco Superintendent, Atlanta Baltimore Columbus Indianapolis Minneapolis Philadelphia Seattle Birmingham Dallas Jackson Nashville Pittsburgh Shreveport Secretary-Treasurer Boston Dayton Jacksonville Newark Portland Tampa Candy Olson Broward Co. Denver Kansas City Providence Toledo Board Member, Hillsborough Buffalo Des Moines Little Rock New York City Richmond Washington DC County (Tampa) Charleston Detroit Long Beach Norfolk Rochester Wichita Charlotte East Baton Rouge Los Angeles Oakland Sacramento

All news items should be submitted to: Urban Educator Council of the Great City Schools 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Suite 702 • Washington, DC 20004 (202) 393-2427 • (202) 393-2400 (fax)

 | Urban Educator Urban Educator |  MAY 2011 INSIDE THE COUNCIL

Rochester Superintendent Takes Chicago Reins; Newark Names New Chief and Boston Maintains Leader

J e a n - C l a u d e trict since 2008, and under his leadership Anderson oversees an alternative school Brizard is the son of the 38,000-student school district raised district in New York City, which serves ap- Haitian immigrants the four-year graduation rate, increased proximately 40,000 at-risk or incarcerated who began his career the number of students taking Advanced students. She is credited with improving as a junior high sci- Placement (AP) courses, increased the per- the district’s G.E.D. program, tripling the ence teacher in New centage of students meeting or exceeding number of students in the program who York City. Years standards in all grades, decreased suspen- took and passed the G.E.D. exam. later, he is now in sions and launched a 10-year, $1.2-billion U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan position to lead the schools modernization program. praised her selection in a news statement Jean-Claude Brizard nation’s third largest Before taking the position in Rochester, saying, “I believe she can provide the kind school district. Brizard was senior executive for policy and of bold vision that will help Newark con- Brizard was recently selected by Chi- sustainability in the New York City public tinue its crucial work toward providing all cago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel to head school system, where he was responsible for children the opportunity at a high-quality Chicago Public Schools. increasing student achievement, overseeing public education.” Brizard has served as superintendent of budget and accountability issues and initi- New York’s Rochester City School Dis- ating policy. Contract Extended in Boston Bolgen Vargas, who previously served as president of the Rochester school board, Carol Johnson was recently named Rochester schools in- was named the su- Inspiration Awards continued from page 2 terim superintendent. perintendent of Bos- ton Public Schools in dents who are on grade level are recruited New Leader in Newark 2007 and during her to take part in the school’s Pre-AP or AP tenure, the district’s program, and Saturday school for AP is re- dropout rate has de- quired for freshmen who are not meeting creased, graduation expectations. Large and small-group meet- rates have increased, ings are held for parents where teachers more high schools Carol Johnson and administrators explain the benefits of offer college-level participation in rigorous courses and pro- courses and a new reading program has vide information about applying to college. been implemented in elementary schools. And in semimonthly “Coffee with Princi- As a result of her success, the Boston pals” meetings, parents and administrators School Committee has extended her con- discuss goals, the importance and value of tract to 2015. homework and review results of bench- Cami Anderson, who was recently selected to lead Newark “Superintendent Johnson continues to mark assessments. Public Schools, talks with U.S. Education Secretary Arne demonstrate that she is the best person Duncan, left, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “The 2011 Inspiration Award winners Photo Credit: Spencer C. Tucker to lead this school district,” said Gregory offer vivid proof that school innovation Groover, the chairperson of the Boston can help close the achievement gap,” said School Committee. College Board President Gaston Caperton. Chicago Public Schools is not the only “I love working in Boston,” said John- “Through their example, many more stu- urban school district to tap a leader who son in the Boston Globe. “We have good dents will graduate ready to participate in worked in the nation’s largest school sys- students, some talented school leaders and a competitive global economy.” tem. teachers, and a community committed to The winners of the Inspiration Awards Cami Anderson, a New York City su- improving the quality of education for all are chosen by a distinguished panel of perintendent, was recently appointed by children. Boston is a city that has the ca- judges based on the schools’ success in in- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to lead pacity to move students to proficiency and creasing the number of students from all Newark Public Schools, the state’s largest close achievement gaps.” school demographic groups being prepared school district. for college.

 | Urban Educator Urban Educator |  INSIDE THE COUNCIL MAY 2011

Memphis continued from page 1

from districts represented by the Council American president of the United States, of the Great City Schools. Big-city schools our students are proof positive of the full in Newark, Pittsburgh and San Diego had spectrum of possibilities,” said Memphis a shot at winning the challenge. City Schools Superintendent Kriner Cash. The Memphis school’s graduation rate Aiming to have the highest proportion rose to more than 80 percent in 2010 from of college graduates in the world by 2020, 55 percent in 2007. The significant increase Obama set out to invite the nation’s pub- is attributed, in part, to the establishment lic high schools to apply for the challenge, of separate boys and girls freshman acad- demonstrating their commitment to pre- emies to help students adjust to the school pare students for college and careers. “The culture and the creation of an atmosphere six finalists were selected for their creativ- for teachers to work closely with students ity in engaging and supporting students, in helping the youngsters take pride in academic results, and progress in prepar- their schoolwork, according to the White ing students to graduate college and career President Obama congratulates Memphis City Schools Superintendent Kriner Cash at the commencement exercises. House. ready,” the White House pointed out in a Photo Credit: Robert Jackson “From the first African-American high statement. school in Memphis, to the first African-

Black Males continued from page 1 ferences between black and white academic Community College, in the Cincinnati on the Harvard Yard for good luck. and social achievement from the cradle to Enquirer. The Council of the Great City Schools’ adulthood. The district is seeking community and “Call for Change” is now focusing on gen- Almost every indicator of well-being business support in a campaign called “We erating solutions to the problems cited in showed that young black males are com- Need M.O.R.E.” to create the additional its report on black-male achievement. “We ing up on the short end in education, social young-men’s clubs, which will offer after- want to identify proven solutions, explore and employment outcomes, prompting the school programs and enrichment opportu- possible new and viable ones, and dissemi- Council to call the situation “a national ca- nities. nate these ideas and strategies to urban tastrophe.” Also recently, the Boston Public Schools schools and the nation at large,” says Coun- The Cincinnati Public Schools took no- launched a multi-faceted initiative called cil Executive Director Michael Casserly. tice of the gripping data and sprung into Impact 300 to support 300 kindergarten action by recently launching the African and 4th-grade black boys with social de- American Male Task Force, an initiative to velopment, mentorships and college readi- help students with academic and character ness. development. The initiative began with the 300 boys, The task force plans to expand the suc- along with principals and teachers, from cessful M.O.R.E. (Men Organized, Re- some 25 Boston public schools visiting spectful and Educated) program at the Harvard University -- the first visit to a district’s Aiken High School, creating college campus for many of the young- young men’s clubs at nine more district sters. middle and high schools aimed at nurtur- Professor Ronald Ferguson, director of ing academic success and strong character the Achievement Gap Initiative at Har- among African-American male and at-risk vard, welcomed the 300 boys to the cam- students. pus. “I want you to know any place in the “The African American male is not world you’re interested in is where you graduating from high school in the num- should be...so think big,” he told them as bers that they should,” said Dr. O’dell Ow- reported in the Harvard Gazette. ens, a school district graduate and presi- At the end of the campus tour, students Three hundred African-American boys in Boston visit Harvard dent of Cincinnati State Technical and rubbed the shoe of John Harvard’s statue University. Photo Credit: Kris Snibbe

 | Urban Educator Urban Educator |  MAY 2011 INSIDE THE COUNCIL

Newark District Wins Debate Championship Houston Board Votes Change For three years in a row, a team from Chicago Public Schools has been named as the top urban debate team in the nation, Of Teacher Evaluations but this year that winning streak came to an end when two students from Newark, The Houston Board of Education re- N.J., captured the crown. cently approved a new approach to evalu- Shagun Kukreja and Amna Tariq, who ating teacher performance, rating teachers are seniors at Newark’s University High on multiple measures, including student School of Humanities, were recently se- progress, rather than relying on its current lected as the winners of the fourth annual system of classroom observations. Urban Debate National Championship The new teacher appraisal and develop- tournament. The win marks the first time ment system aims to ensure that all teach- two females have won the debate competi- ers receive regular feedback on their per- tion, which is hosted by the National As- formance as well as individualized support sociation for Urban Debate Leagues. that helps them serve their students more Second place was awarded to a team effectively. from Metropolitan Corporate Academy in A number of states and school districts New York City. Newark student Amna Tariq participates in the Urban Debate are considering or implementing changes The two-day tournament was held in National Championship. Her team won first place in the to strengthen their teacher evaluation sys- New York City at Hunter College and competition. Photo Credit: Jeffrey Vock tems as an academic reform strategy. featured 76 debaters from 19 urban debate U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Dun- leagues across the nation. Teams from high Students at the tournament also had the can praised the board’s vote. “The new schools in cities such as Chicago, Balti- opportunity to participate in a College and system uses multiple measures and in- more, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Career Day featuring programs on finan- corporates student academic growth in a Kansas City, Dallas, Detroit, and New York cial aid, the college admissions process and thoughtful and balanced way,” he said in City competed against each other in a style post-college career options as well as meet the Houston Chronicle. “Houston is provid- called policy debate, in which teams of two and talk with representatives from 15 col- ing a model for the state and other districts students debate one current event. This leges and universities. to follow.” year’s topic was whether the United States Studies have found that participation in Under the new system, teachers would should significantly reduce its military in- urban debate leagues leads to increased lit- be rated on student performance, instruc- volvement overseas. eracy scores, higher grade-point averages, tional practice and professional expecta- In addition to winning this year’s Urban higher graduation rates, higher attendance tions, changing the district’s current, 20- Debate National Championship, Kukreja and improved critical-thinking skills. Ur- year-old appraisal system that was created and Tariq recently won the New Jersey ban debate leagues currently exist in 24 of by the state. Many Houston Independent state championship and will represent the the nation’s largest cities. School District teachers and principals state at the National Forensic League na- have indicated that the current appraisal tional tournament in Dallas in June. In the system is not providing them with mean- fall, Tariq plans to attend Rutgers Univer- ingful feedback to improve student learn- sity and Kukreja, who was recently named ing, according to a district news release. a Bank of America scholar, is considering The new appraisal system is part of the Rutgers, among other schools. Editor’s Note Houston school district’s Effective Teach- Awards were also presented to the best ers Initiative, aimed at placing an effective individual debaters, with Joshua Rivera of Ashley Chandler, a graduate student in teacher in every classroom by transforming Lane Tech College High School in Chica- international communications at Ameri- the way the district recruits, develops and go, winning the Top Speaker Award. Rivera can University, is working as a communi- retains its teachers. A new evaluation sys- will attend Southern Illinois University on cations intern at the Council of the Great tem for principals is also being planned. a debate scholarship. The Best New League City Schools, writing and providing layout The new teacher development and Award was presented to the Boston Debate and design assistance for the award-win- evaluation system was designed over a six- League, which is one of the nation’s fastest ning Urban Educator, as well as contribut- month period, as the Houston school sys- growing urban debate leagues. ing to other communication projects. tem sought and received input from thou- sands of educators, parents and community members.  | Urban Educator Urban Educator |  INSIDE THE COUNCIL MAY 2011

Another L.A. School Wins U.S. Academic Decathlon Award Winners

The 2011 U.S. Academic Decathlon was held last month in Charlotte, N.C., and it was the first time a team from Granada Hills Charter High School in Los Angeles had appeared in the two-day competition. Presidential Scholars Named But being new to the prestigious competi- tion did not stop the team from bringing Daniel Depew, demonstrated exceptional talent in the vi- home the first-place trophy. a senior at North- sual, literary and performing arts. The nine-member academic decathlon west High School Besides Depew, urban students in An- team from Granada Hills beat 35 teams in Wichita, Kan., chorage, Little Rock, Baton Rouge, Los from across the nation to win the national is a National Merit Angeles, West Palm Beach, Louisville, title, scoring 52,113.5 points out of a pos- Scholar and a mem- Brooklyn, N.Y., and Weston, Fla. (Broward sible 60,000. ber of his school’s ten- County Public Schools) were named U.S. th The win for Granada marks the 12 Daniel Depew nis team. He is also Presidential Scholars. time a school from the Los Angeles Uni- one of just 141 high Students are selected as scholars based fied School District (LAUSD) has won school seniors from across the nation to be on their academic success, artistic excel- the national title. Last year, a team from selected as a 2011 U.S. Presidential Scholar lence, essays, school evaluations and tran- the district’s El Camino School won the for demonstrating outstanding academic scripts, evidence of community service, competition. achievement, artistic excellence, leader- leadership and demonstrated commitment The Academic Decathlon is a two-day ship, citizenship, service and contribution to high ideals. event in which high school students are to school and community. The scholars will be honored for their tested in 10 categories: art, economics, Created in 1964, the program honors accomplishments in Washington, D.C., essay, interview, language and literature, one male and one female from each state, in June and may invite their most inspir- mathematics, music, science, social science, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and ing and challenging teacher to accompany and speech. This year’s study subject was U.S. students abroad for achieving aca- them and receive a Teacher Recognition the Great Depression. demic success. In addition, 35 Presidential Award from the U.S. Department of Edu- Each high school team is made up of Scholars in the Arts are named who have cation. nine students: three “A” students, three “B” students and three “C” students. In addition to winning the Academic President Honors Top Math, Science Teachers Decathlon, the team from Granada also received the rookie award presented to a When Laura Callahan teaches her kin- Winners receive a $10,000 award from school that has never made it to the finals dergarten class, sometimes she will receive the National Science Foundation. and has the highest score among the teams visits from penguins and armadillos. That In addition to Omaha, urban teachers in each division. is because Callahan teaches at the Omaha from Boston, Des Moines, Las Vegas, In- “It’s really unusual, because there’s a his- Henry Doorly Zoo, as part of an adopt-a- dianapolis, the District of Columbia Public tory of teams going to the nationals for the school partnership between the zoo and Schools in Washington, D.C., and Duval first time and doing well, but not winning Omaha Public Schools’ Bancroft Elemen- County School District in Jacksonville, the title,” said Cliff Kerr, coordinator of the tary. Fla., were among this year’s recipients. The LAUSD Academic Decathlon in the Los Callahan is one of 85 mathematics and Anchorage School District in Alaska had Angeles Times. “These guys came and not science teachers who were recently selected two teachers receive an award. only won the Rookie of the Year Award but to receive the 2010 Presidential Award for The award alternates between educa- the national title as well.” Excellence in Mathematics and Science tors teaching kindergarten through 6th In March, the team from Granada won Teaching. The award is presented annually grade and those teaching 7th through 12th the California Academic Decathlon, which to exceptional K-12 science and mathemat- grades. The 2010 awardees teach kinder- earned it a trip to the national competi- ics teachers from acrosss the nation. garten through 6th grade. tion.

 | Urban Educator Urban Educator |  MAY 2011 INSIDE THE COUNCIL

Baton Rouge Eighth-Grader Is National Middle School Math Champion

Scott Wu, an eighth-grader at Glasgow Raytheon Chairman and CEO William according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Middle School in Baton Rouge, La., won Swanson hopes that the national compe- School District. the 2011 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS tition “further inspires them {the contes- As national champion, Scott Wu won National Competition May 6 in Washing- tants} to use math as a key to unlocking an $8,000 scholarship and a trip to U.S. ton, D.C. the doors to rewarding careers in science, Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. He competed against 223 other middle- technology, engineering and mathematics,” “He’s just a phenomenal math student,” school students from all he said in a state- Glasgow Middle School Principal Judy 50 states, the District of ment. O’Dell said in a district press release. The Columbia, Puerto Rico, “Winning - 12-year-old Wu has completed Calculus A Guam, the U.S. Virgin - this feels pretty and B and all the high school math courses Islands and the U.S. good,” Wu em- while in middle school. And she indicates Department of Defense phasized. “I that when the math whiz kid attends high and State Department studied a lot school next year, he will probably take schools worldwide to from middle and math courses at State University be crowned the cham- high school math -- just as his brother did. pion. materials. Lots “Congratulations Scott Wu, a student in Baton Rouge, La., is congratulated of the competi- after winning the 2011 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National to all the Mathletes,” Competition. Photo Credit: Kris Tripplaar tion is thinking said Lou DiGioia, ex- quickly and fig- ecutive director of the uring out how to MATHCOUNTS Foundation, which solve a problem.” oversees the prestigious competition that Wu’s brother, Neal, an alumnus of engages the best and brightest in middle- Baton Rouge Magnet High School who school mathematics through “bee” style now attends Harvard University, won the contests. MATHCOUNTS national title in 2005, Scott Wu, right, writes his answers during the MATHCOUNTS National Competition as another student struggles. Urban Schools Receive ‘Grammy Awards’

Hamilton High School Academy of In addition to the award, the winning Nashville Administrator Music in Los Angeles of- schools receive a mone- fers its students an Elec- tary grant to benefit their Wins Council Award tronic Music Program music programs. and the program recently Hamilton High was Joe Edgens, the executive director of received some good news: presented with a Signa- facilities and operations for Metropolitan a $5,500 grant from the ture Schools Enterprise Nashville Public Schools in Tennessee, was Grammy Foundation that Award, which recognizes recently presented with the Distinguished will be used to make up- efforts made by schools Service Award at the Council of the Great grades to its lab and music that are economically City Schools’ Chief Operating Officers studio. underserved. Other big- Conference in Las Vegas. The school was one city schools that received Sponsored by the Council and Chart- of 36 schools across the the award were Boston wells/Thompson Hospitality, the award nation to receive a 2011 Arts Academy in Boston; honors business officials who exemplify GRAMMY Signature School Award. Cre- City Neighbors High School in Baltimore; leadership, innovation, commitment and ated in 1998 by the GRAMMY Founda- Emmerich Manual High School in India- professionalism in urban education. tion, the awards are presented to the top napolis; Glencliff High School in -Nash Edgens is responsible for leading the U.S. public high schools that are making an ville; Santee Education Complex in Los district’s planning and construction, main- outstanding commitment to music educa- Angeles; and Iroquois High School and J. tenance, and operations and oversees 900 tion. Graham Brown School,both in Louisville, employees. Ky.

 | Urban Educator Urban Educator |  INSIDE THE COUNCIL MAY 2011

Fall Conference continued from page 1 published memoirs, NewsLady. the lives of troubled young people and find the support they need to enact change. She will deliver welcoming remarks at Featured Speakers Also on stage to address urban school the conference’s opening reception on Oct. leaders at lunch on Oct. 28 will be environ- 26 at the Kennedy Library in Massachu- Actor and educa- mental leader Robert Kennedy Jr. He is a setts’ capital city. tion advocate Tony senior attorney for the Natural Resources Described by as Plana will address Defense Council and is also a clinical pro- “Senator Ted Kennedy’s Closest Confi- urban school leaders fessor and supervising attorney at Pace dante in Politics and Life,” the attorney at lunch on Oct. 27. University School of Law’s Environmental and advocate of women, children and fami- A career spanning Litigation Clinic. lies stood by President Obama’s side at the 30 years in film, White House when he signed the landmark television and the- health care reform legislation into law last ater, Plana is known Tony Plana year. Sen. Kennedy had spent most of his recently in his role life pushing for health care reform. as “Ignacio Suarez,” Shortly after he died in 2009, the Bos- the father of Betty on the former hit televi- ton school system renamed a school in sion show Ugly Betty. Sen. Kennedy’s honor -- the Edward M. He is the co-founder of a Los Angeles Kennedy Academy for Health Careers. theater group serving the Latino communi- The renaming ceremony was one of Vicki ty through educational outreach programs, Kennedy’s first including a literacy public appearanc- initiative called Be- es following her yond Borders: Lit- husband’s death. eracy through Per- Baton Rouge Student forming Arts. Pinnacle Also speaking at Pushes for Law Repeal Event the conference at breakfast on Oct. A high school senior in Baton Rouge, In conjunc- 28 will be author La., recently organized a protest rally on tion with the and youth mentor the steps of the state capitol in a push for Carole Simpson Fall Conference, Wes Moore, former repeal of the Louisiana Science Education hosted by Boston Wes Moore special assistant to Act, which critics believe promotes cre- Public Schools, the Council will also hold Secretary of State ationism in schools. its annual National Town Hall Meeting on Condoleezza Rice. He penned a book About three dozen people joined 17- an issue of the day in urban education. titled The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two year-old Zack Kopplin to rally against the Moderating the conference’s pinnacle Fates,” which focuses on him, a Rhodes 2008 law, which allows public school sci- event on Oct. 28 will be award-winning scholar, and another Wes Moore who grew ence teachers to use supplemental materials journalist Carole Simpson, who retired up near him in in their classrooms beyond state-approved from ABC News in 2006 to become lead- Baltimore but was textbooks. er-in-residence in the School of Commu- convicted for a Supporters say the law promotes criti- nications at Emerson College in Boston. murder. cal thinking, while opponents consider it At ABC News, Simpson was the an- The author, in “a veiled attempt to sneak religion into sci- chor of the weekend editions of World prison interviews ence classes,” according to an article in The News Tonight from 1988 to 2003, as well with the other Advocate, Baton Rouge’s major newspaper. as a senior national correspondent. The Wes Moore, dis- A state senator has filed legislation to three-time Emmy Award winner was the covered startling eliminate the law. In addition to staging first African American woman anchor of a parallels between the rally, the young Kopplin, a student at major network evening news broadcast and their lives -- both Baton Rouge Magnet High School, has her news reports appeared on various ABC Robert Kennedy Jr. were fatherless, mustered up signatures from more than 40 News programs, including Good Morning had difficult child- Nobel Prize-winning scientists to support America and Nightline. hoods and both had classroom difficulties. a repeal. She recounts her 40-year career as a pio- Yet, they both headed down different paths, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal reportedly neering broadcast journalist in her recently which helps the scholar Moore to redirect opposes the bill for doing away with the law.

 | Urban Educator Urban Educator |  MAY 2011 INSIDE THE COUNCIL

San Diego Expands In Era of Fiscal Constraints, Denver District Adds Home Internet Access $10 Million to Budget For Students Urban school systems across the nation nounced that K-12 education funds would are facing million-dollar budget shortfalls be cut by $332 million, but it now appears A pilot program at Innovation Middle as a result of less state aid combined with that funding will be cut by approximately School in San Diego not only provides stu- the end of federal stimulus money. The fis- $228 million, a difference of $104 million. dents with their own netbook computers cal problems have led many school districts In addition, the school system is cutting but the computers also contain 3G wire- to implement cost-saving measures such as $10 million from central services, includ- less access, enabling students to access the increasing class sizes, eliminating summer ing transportation, facilities, professional Internet at home. school and issuing pink slips to teachers. development and student services and The Mobile Learning pilot program But Denver Public Schools is doing plans to utilize $15 million in savings from has been so successful that the San Diego exactly the opposite and instead of laying its pension financing. Unified School District plans to expand off teachers, the district is adding more The increase in funding is also attributed the program using a $1 million grant from teachers to its ranks. Officials recently an- to two years of record enrollment increases the Federal Communications Commission nounced that the 79,423-student school as well as winning more than $80 million (FCC). system plans to add as many as 150 teach- in grants over the last two years. The grants The district was one of 20 recipients ing positions next year and increase fund- include $10 million from the Bill & Me- across the country to receive a “Learning ing to schools next year by approximately linda Gates Foundation for teachers; a $30 On-The-Go” wireless program grant to $10 million. million i3grant from the U.S. Department help K-12 students access the Internet at The Denver school system is taking of Education to improve instruction for home and increase their access to digital these steps despite the funding it receives English-language learners; an $8 million textbooks, interactive learning tools and from the state being reduced by approxi- grant from the U.S. Department of Edu- other innovative wireless technologies. mately $22 million next year. According to cation to invest in training excellent new The FCC wants to increase the percent- district officials, the school system is able teachers; and $11 million in grants from age of schools that are using mobile broad- to increase funding to classrooms as a re- the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to band because mobile learning devices en- sult of using money they had asked schools invest in greater efficiency and improving able teachers and parents to tailor school to hold onto as a contingency because of technology available to schools. curriculum. The FCC also believes wireless state budget cuts announced in February. devices will help teachers integrate school Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper had an- Denver continued on page 12 and homework assignments for students, creating greater efficiency. San Diego will use its $1-million grant NYC Uses Stimulus Funds To Boost Technology to offer netbooks with 3G wireless access to sixth graders at eight middle schools and schoolwide in two middle schools. The 3G In an effort to bridge the digital divide, a a $22-million American Recovery and Re- San Diego continued on page 10 new initiative in the nation’s largest school investment Act (ARRA) award from the district, New York City, is providing com- U.S. Department of Commerce. puters to approximately District officials believe 18,000 sixth-grade stu- that by extending learning dents. to the home, the program The NYC Connected will increase parental in- Learning initiative will volvement and improve the offer students at 72 high- educational experience of poverty middle schools a middle school students by free computer, discount- Tracking the Stimulus providing access to on-line ed broadband service, educational resources. digital literacy training The initiative is being and access to a bilingual help desk. implemented this year and will extend Students at Innovation Middle School in San Diego work on The initiative is being funded through through the 2012-2013 school year. their netbook computers.

 | Urban Educator Urban Educator |  LEGISLATIVE COLUMN MAY 2011

Program Versus Program By Jeff Simering,Director of Legislation

At least once every decade, there seems to lion, was seriously eroded. And the Title I be a major budget cutting effort or program LEA Grants for Disadvantaged Students consolidation initiative—sometimes both at and the IDEA Part B Grant for Students the same time. In the 1970s, we saw President with Disabilities survived virtually un- Nixon’s special revenue sharing block grants and scathed. budget cuts. In the 1980s, the Gramm-Latta budget cuts and program consolidations were Some areas of federal spending—defense, passed overwhelmingly by Congress. In the homeland security and often education— 1990s, Congressman Newt Gingrich and Presi- typically do better than others. Unfortu- dent Bill Clinton struggled over the shutdown nately, the scramble for limited resources oc- of the federal government and proposed budget curs both across agencies and within budget cuts. functions. An example was just announced by the House Committee on Appropriations, Now in 2011, history appears ready to repeat which set FY 2012 spending limits that cut itself but this time the stakes are higher than ever before allocations for labor, health, human services and education because they involve a very deep recession, high unemploy- by $18 billion (-11 percent), while defense was increased by ment, the debt limit, and federal spending and taxes—in $17 billion (+ 3 percent). other words, everything. Every version of this scenario in previous decades has resulted in sizable education budget With an Elementary and Secondary Education Act cuts and program consolidations. The central question is (ESEA) reauthorization on the national agenda again, some whether this time will be different or are we in for a serious programs will be consolidated or will morph into new con- retrenchment? figurations. The Obama Administration has jump-started these potential consolidations by proposing to merge 38 Every time one of these cycles emerges we see some edu- separate programs into nine more-flexible funding streams. cation programs and budget lines have dedicated constitu- The Council of the Great City Schools supports much of ents and Congressional or Executive Branch champions to this simplification in federal education programming, but justify and protect their existence—or conversely, antago- the first signs are emerging that it may not be enough to nists who fight to eliminate one initiative or another. We saw satisfy a Congress ravenous for budget cuts. this dynamic in miniature during the six-month battle over the FY2011 Full Year Continuing Resolution (CR). Some Serious budget negotiations are just beginning, but it is programs survived, some eroded, and some were terminated. clear that valuable and effective initiatives will get pitted Notable education programs like Even Start, Striving Read- against one another in a “programmatic Darwinism” where ers, Educational Technology Grants, and the Javits Gifted only the strong survive. Urban public schools and the pro- and Talented Program were eliminated. The Title II Teacher grams that benefit our students will need to be among the Quality Grants, which was cut by approximately $475 mil- strong.

San Diego continued from page 9

wireless access is the same used by smart The San Diego school system was the The Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter phones and tablet computers and the com- only district from the Council of the Great School and Bethune Elementary School in puters will be outfitted with safety software City Schools to receive an FCC grant to New Orleans will use their grants to enable that prohibits students from accessing in- fund its wireless pilot program. Also, two students to access the Internet through appropriate web sites. individual big-city schools received grants. wireless mobile and data cards.

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Council Seeks Nominees for Top Award In Urban Education Leadership

In 1989, the board members, will be presented this year Council of the to a Council school board member. Great City Schools Nominations for the 2011 Richard R. launched the Rich- Green Award are currently being accepted ard R. Green Award until July 18. in honor of the first The winner will be announced Oct. 27 African-Ameri- at the Council’s 55th Annual Fall Confer- can chancellor of ence in Boston and will receive a $10,000 Newark Grad Richard R. Green the nation’s largest college scholarship to present to a senior school system, New in a high school from the winner’s school Wins Scholarship York City Public Schools, who had also led system or from his or her high school alma Minneapolis Public Schools. mater. Ashley Nieves, a student at New Sponsored by the Council, ARAMARK The 2011 Richard Green Award ap- Jersey’s Montclair State University, and Cambium, the award is presented to the plication for school board members can be is congratulated by Montclair Dean nation’s top urban educator, who best ex- accessed on the Counil’s web site at www. Ada Beth Cutler for receiving the Dr. emplifies Green’s ideals and commitments: cgcs.org. Shirley Schwartz Urban Education leadership, achievement, public confidence, Last year, the winner of the Richard Impact Award Scholarship, named professionalism and involvement. R. Green Award was Arlene Ackerman, for the Council of the Great City The award, which rotates annually- be superintendent of the School District of Schools’ director of special projects tween urban superintendents and school Philadelphia. who died in 2009. The $2,000 schol- arship is awarded jointly by New- ark Public Schools and Montclair’s School of Education, which won the Schwartz Urban Impact Award for outstanding partnership last year at the Council’s 54th Fall Conference.

Omaha Receives Grant to Close Gap

Omaha Public Schools will receive a $50,000 planning grant from the NEA Foundation to close the achievement gap between students of different ethnicities and family incomes, while raising perfor- Honored for Volunteerism mance for all students. The grant will go toward a public educa- Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon congratulates students Neil Na- tion partnership comprised of leaders from than of Shreveport and Carrie Ingerman, center, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s two top the school system, the Omaha Education youth volunteers in the 2011 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. They Association and community groups who along with other selected student honorees from each state were recognized at a recent will join together to develop a proposal ceremony in Washington, D.C. for outstanding acts of community service. Omaha Grant continued on page12

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Omaha School Board Member Elected to Lead CUBE

Sandra Jensen, presi- Student Achievement Task Force. dent of the Omaha Board “Through the years, it has been a privi- of Education, has been lege to be a part of [CUBE] working shoul- elected to serve as chair der to shoulder with school board leaders of the National School across the nation to enhance educational Boards Association’s opportunities for urban students,” said Jen- Council of Urban Boards sen. “By working together, we will achieve Sharing Lessons Sandra Jensen of Education (CUBE). high student achievement for all children, Jensen has been an ac- especially our urban children, through ef- Internationally tive participant in CUBE, having served fective school board leadership.” as vice chair of the CUBE Steering Com- mittee and a member of the CUBE Urban Gail Holmes, an instructional tech- nology coach for North Carolina’s Guilford County Schools in Greens- Omaha Grant continued from page 11 Denver continued from page 9 boro, recently shared her research on using technology in the classroom and that aims to close the achievement gap. And while Denver Schools Superinten- lesson plans she developed with other Based on a review of their proposal, the dent Tom Boasberg is very pleased to pro- educators at the International Confer- Omaha partnership may eventually receive vide classrooms with additional money, he ence on Technology, Knowledge and a five-year, $1.25 million grant from the is worried about what will happen in the Society in Bilboa, Spain. She also pre- NEA Foundation to implement its strate- future. sented a white paper titled “Teaching gies in the Omaha school district. “We’ve got to put a stop to the cycle of Students to Think Outside the Book.” The NEA Foundation has invested more cuts and cuts,” said Boasberg in the Denver She is a fellow in the Kenan Fellows than $8 million in its Closing the Achieve- Post. Program for Curriculum and Leader- ment Gaps initiative. ship Development.