History of IDEA
Jeannie Oakes, Founder and Former Director
Youth Voice in School Finance
NEW REPORT: Los Angeles' road to A-G for all
Without Dollars and Sense Powerpoint
Past Educational Opportunity Reports
Why school reform can’t ignore poverty’s toll
- 10-10-2011
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Guest blog by Marcus D. Pohlmann/Washington Post
Like most urban systems, Memphis City Schools have demonstrated the kind of achievement numbers that keep school reformers up at night. One in three students fail to graduate, and those who continue remain far behind by all achievement measures. Just 4 percent of seniors score well enough on entrance exams to qualify to take college-level courses without remedial work. In films like “ Waiting for Superman” and books like “ Class Warfare ,” teachers and teacher unions are lambasted. The mandates of “No Child Left Behind” legislation also have meant numerous firings and re-assignments when students fail to make “adequate yearly progress.” Yes, blaming the teaching profession is in vogue, but lurking beneath failure is a full array of social and economic problems, not only in my city, but in major metropolitan areas from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles. (more...)
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