State Takeovers Remain a Powerful Tool for Improving Schools. States Should Not Walk Away From Them
If the debate over the value of local control in K-12 public education were a boxing match, you might say supporters of a stronger state role increasingly look to be down and out. This year, officials in Tennessee and Ohio hit the pause button on new state interventions. State takeovers in Louisiana and New Jersey have […]
Seizing the Opportunity: Educating Students with Disabilities in Charter Schools
This report is the first step in developing an evidence base about how charter schools meet the needs of unique learners, how they can improve in this work, and what aspects of chartering as a governance model support or impede their ability to do so.
Propelling Career and Technical Education in a Portfolio System
This post comes from the first edition of Re:portfolio, a publication with articles, news clips, and resources about the portfolio strategy. The strategy has its roots in the writings of CRPE founder Paul Hill, as well as what we’ve learned from civic and education leaders over the years via research projects and portfolio network meetings. […]
LeBron James’s School Drew Lots of Attention, but It Doesn’t Take an NBA Star for Districts to Forge Innovative Partnerships
Last fall, NBA star LeBron James and his foundation received a lot of attention for opening the I Promise Academy in partnership with Akron Public Schools. The school extends philanthropic work James had already been doing in his hometown. Many features of its model — a longer school year, wraparound services, family engagement and a […]
Going the Extra Mile for School Choice
For families living in neighborhoods with low-performing schools, choice-friendly policies open up an array of options. Students can seek out district or charter schools with stronger academic programs, or look for schools that match their unique interests or needs. The concept is simple, but families who want to take the school-choice route may find that […]
A Simple Recipe Needs Complex Conditions to Work
Over the past two weeks I have become obsessed with sourdough starter. My son and I diligently followed a recipe that involved smashed grapes (organic required), many fruit flies, weeks of exacting directions, special jars, and then … nothing. Bubbles, but no rise. I have since Googled every article entitled “troubleshooting sourdough starter” or “bubbles, […]
Portfolio Systems Can and Must Lead When it Comes to Students with Unique Needs
The traditional district model is clearly not working for students with complex needs. Students with disabilities are typically assigned to specialized programs or are asked to fit into a one-size-fits-all classroom. If those options don’t work, families have little option but to hire a lawyer, if they can afford one. Whether a student has a […]
It Takes a City: How the Portfolio Strategy Can Bring Schools, Districts, and Communities Together to Transform Special Education
We convened leaders from cities around the country to explore ways that school districts can use the portfolio strategy to help cities improve education for students with disabilites—and ultimately for all students.
Gentrification Presents Both Challenges and Opportunities for Cities and Schools
The debate over charter schools and segregation, driven by the fact that many charter schools locate in segregated city neighborhoods, is about to be overtaken by events. The rapid movement of young college graduates into previously low-income neighborhoods opens up a new opportunity for effective integrated K–12 education, to which charter schools should contribute. The […]
Lessons from the Trenches: Sustaining Improvements after State Takeover
This report provides key lessons for states seeking to make improvements in districts and schools navigating a transition to local control.