Urban Education

Learn more about urban schools and districts, including research and polices that affect city schools
Bilal Tawwab
Bilal Tawwab
Brett Carlsen for Education Week
School & District Management Leader To Learn From Amid Flint's Water Crisis, Schools Chief Is a Calm Force
Bilal Tawwab, the superintendent of schools in Flint, Mich., refuses to use the city’s lead-water crisis as an excuse from keeping his team of educators focused on improving student achievement in a long-struggling school district. He is recognized as a 2017 Leader To Learn From.
Corey Mitchell, February 22, 2017
7 min read
School & District Management Q&A Q&A With Principal Nadia Lopez: How to Build a Successful School
Nadia Lopez, principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy in Brooklyn, N.Y., discusses her work in one of New York City's most challenging neighborhoods. Lopez gained national attention in 2015 when one of her students, Vidal Chastanet, told a photographer that Lopez was the person who influenced him most in life.
Kate Stoltzfus, January 26, 2017
6 min read
Equity & Diversity After Trump Immigration Order, Schools Draw Line in the Sand on Student Rights
"We understand that significant federal dollars could be at risk because of our support for every student and every family," Los Angeles Unified school board president Steve Zimmer said.
Corey Mitchell, January 26, 2017
2 min read
Betsy DeVos, Rahm Emanual, and School Privatization: Rahm Emanuel’s criticism of Betsy DeVos ignores the similarities of their agendas, writes Chicago Teachers’ Union President Karen Lewis.
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School & District Management Opinion Betsy DeVos, Rahm Emanuel, and School Privatization
Rahm Emanuel's criticism of Betsy DeVos ignores the similarities of their agendas, writes Chicago Teachers' Union President Karen Lewis.
Karen Lewis, January 24, 2017
4 min read
School & District Management Buffalo Teachers Push for Carl Paladino's Removal From City's School Board
Buffalo school board member Carl Paladino has been under fire since late December for derogatory comments he made about President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. He has refused to resign despite mounting pressure for his ouster.
Denisa R. Superville, January 18, 2017
4 min read
School & District Management Buffalo School Board Calls for Carl Paladino to Resign Over Racist Comments
The board said it will petition the state education commissioner to remove Paladino from his school board seat if he doesn't resign within 24 hours.
Denisa R. Superville, December 29, 2016
5 min read
School & District Management Top 10 District Dossier Posts of 2016: Principals and School Leadership
Take a look at the most-read District Dossier blog posts in 2016.
Denisa R. Superville, December 29, 2016
3 min read
School & District Management A Moratorium on Charter Schools? Two Viewpoints (Videos)
We recently reported on reactions to the NAACP's charter school moratorium. Two new exclusive videos dive deeper into this complex issue.
Carmen Rojas, December 21, 2016
1 min read
School Climate & Safety Former Detroit Schools Manager Charged in Flint Water Crisis Case
The criminal charges stem from the decision to provide water to residents that was not properly treated, leading to lead contamination.
Corey Mitchell, December 20, 2016
2 min read
School & District Management Three New District Superintendents Join Chiefs for Change
The superintendents in Boston, Baltimore, and San Antonio, Texas, are the newest members of Chiefs for Change, which is now primarily made up of big-city district leaders.
Denisa R. Superville, December 14, 2016
2 min read
School Choice & Charters Charter Schools Fight Divides the Black Community (Video)
Charter schools are often viewed as a lifeline by African-American parents. The NAACP, however, has called for a moratorium on these independently managed public schools.
Carmen Rojas, November 30, 2016
1 min read
School & District Management Oakland Superintendent Antwan Wilson Tapped to Lead D.C. Schools
Antwan Wilson, the superintendent in Oakland,calif., is likely to succeed Kaya Henderson as the District of Columbia's permanent schools chancellor.
Denisa R. Superville, November 22, 2016
3 min read
School & District Management Cincinnati Superintendent to Retire After Nine Years
Mary Ronan spent 40 years with the Cincinnati school district, starting as a teacher in 1976, before moving up the ladder to become district superintendent.
Denisa R. Superville, November 17, 2016
1 min read
School & District Management Head of Urban Districts' Coalition Says Trump Win Won't Change Group's Focus
Michael Casserly, the executive director of the Council of the Great City Schools, said the group may be forced to play defense, but its priorities won't change under a Trump administration.
Denisa R. Superville, November 14, 2016
3 min read