Leaders react to abysmal DPS ranking

Detroit was shocked yesterday to learn just how badly its public school students are performing in math. DPN executive director Sharlonda Buckman called on the city's parents and leaders at Local, State, and Federal levels to be accountable to their children's education. Here are some ideas and opinions being put forward the day after:

Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley spoke with DPN member Joe Baker in a column outlining her ideas for remaking the district:

"One of the things that has been of concern to me is that the untapped intelligence and potential of young, urban African Americans is underestimated," said Baker, who is a member of the Detroit Parent Network, an advocacy organization, and who learned of the results from the Free Press on Tuesday morning.

Robert Bobb explained an action plan to the Free Press that includes after-school tutorials, tougher the curriculum, increased training for teachers, and a Reading Corps of volunteers to help students improve reading skills.

In Lansing, there are talks of giving Governor Granholm power to appoint an emergency academic manager for failing districts, as Robert Bobb is for DPS' finances, reports the Free Press.

Mayor Bing is open to mayoral control of DPS, the same article goes on to report:

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has said he would take control if asked. "While progress is being made on the financial side, these scores demonstrate the immediate need for an academic overhaul," Bing said Tuesday. "I will continue to take an active role in fighting for schools that work. We can't afford to lose another child."

A Detroit News editorial suggests using Washington, DC schools as a model for fixing the district:

The city's mayor took over the public schools from the school board and hired highly effective leader Michelle Rhee, who has enacted rigorous accountability measures to improve instructional quality and school management.

Under Rhee, every educator is on a performance contract.

According to U of M student and DPS alum Katila Howard, students can succeed with enough support from parents and teachers, reports the Free Press:

...Howard credits her family and "compassionate teachers" for pushing her into clubs, prodding her toward internships and sending her to U-M recruiters when they visited Cass Tech.

It's good to see so many positive and transformative ideas being discussed in light of yesterday's terrible news, and that parents are being included in the discussion. Let us know your ideas for transforming DPS.

(image from Wikimedia Commons)