Urban Education

Learn more about urban schools and districts, including research and polices that affect city schools
School & District Management Blog Urban Education Reform: Bridging Research and Practice
Paula Arce-Trigatti and Douglas Harris brought together voices to discuss the implications of school reforms for urban schooling nationally.
March 24, 2017
School & District Management New Schools Chief for New Orleans' Recovery School District
Patrick Dobard, who led the Recovery School District for the last five years, will become the CEO of New Schools for New Orleans. The Recovery School District, which took over most of the city's schools after Hurricane Katrina, is scheduled to become part of the Orleans Parish School Board next year.
Denisa R. Superville, March 17, 2017
2 min read
School & District Management Immigration Enforcement Will Happen 'Over My Dead Body,' Superintendent Says
A former undocumented immigrant himself, Miami-Dade schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho throws down the gauntlet on immigration enforcement.
Corey Mitchell, March 17, 2017
1 min read
School & District Management Trump's Education Budget 'Falls Far Short,' Education Groups Say
The Council of the Great City Schools and the National Association of Secondary School Principals say the spending blueprint will hamstring efforts to educate public school students.
Corey Mitchell, March 16, 2017
4 min read
Federal Video Betsy DeVos to School Leaders: 'I Support Great Public Schools'
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos addressed urban school leaders at the Council of the Great City Schools annual legislative and policy conference in Washington, D.C., on Monday, March 12, 2017. Her speech--which sounded a mostly positive message about public education--also hit her most familiar theme of expanding parents' access to school choice. The urban superintendents and school board members in the audience gave her kudos for attending, but some school officials said the speech lacked policy details and avoided acknowledging the challenging issues urban school systems face.
March 15, 2017
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Law & Courts To Keep Struggling Schools Open, Detroit Will Sue the State of Michigan
The state's school reform office identified 38 schools statewide for potential closure because they have ranked in the bottom 5 percent academically for three straight years.
Corey Mitchell, March 15, 2017
1 min read
School & District Management Betsy DeVos to Urban District Leaders: 'I Support Great Public Schools'
In her first outing before the Council of the Great City Schools, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said she was agnostic about the type of schools as long as the needs of parents and children are met.
Denisa R. Superville, March 13, 2017
7 min read
School & District Management Betsy DeVos and Boys of Color on Agenda at Urban School Leaders' Conference
Urban superintendents and school board members dove into sessions on state and federal education policy, school governance, English-language learners, and initiatives supporting males of color at the Council of the Great City Schools conference.
Denisa R. Superville, March 13, 2017
5 min read
School & District Management Betsy DeVos to Speak at Urban School Leaders' Legislative Conference
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is expected to address superintendents and school board members from the country's largest school districts in Washington, D.C., on Monday at the annual legislative conference of the Council of the Great City Schools.
Denisa R. Superville, March 9, 2017
2 min read
School Choice & Charters Expensive Los Angeles School Board Election Sends Two Seats to Runoff
Los Angeles school board president Steve Zimmer will face a run-off election against challenger Nick Melvion in one of two runoffs for two seats on the Los Angeles School Board.
Denisa R. Superville, March 8, 2017
1 min read
Budget & Finance Chicago District Threatens Shorter Year; Summer School Cancellation
City education leaders say they may be forced to cut the school year short by nearly two weeks and take other drastic steps unless a judge acts to force the state to make up for millions of dollars in lost aid to Chicago's schools.
Denisa R. Superville, February 27, 2017
2 min read
Equity & Diversity Superintendent Receives Death Threats After Website Claims He's Anti-Trump
A WorldNetDaily.com story claims that the Dekalb County, Ga., schools chief R. Stephen Green fired three school employees for supporting President Donald Trump. Green denies the assertion.
Corey Mitchell, February 27, 2017
2 min read
School & District Management Chicago Latino Advisory Committee Members Quit Over Budget Cuts
Members of the Chicago school district's Latino Advisory Committee said that district budget cuts fell disproportionately on schools with Latino students.
Denisa R. Superville, February 23, 2017
1 min read
School & District Management What Happens When Superintendents Sue Their School Boards? Usually Splitsville.
As the relationship breaks down, it's relatively common for superintendents to resign or retire. What's more uncommon though: sitting superintendents suing the school board members or vice versa. It never ends well.
Francisco Vara-Orta, February 22, 2017
5 min read