New schools for a new century : the redesign of urban education

As we cross the threshold of a new century, which approaches are likely to improve public education? In this book, distinguished scholars discuss recent innovations—charter schools, contracting arrangements, and choice—designed to liberate educators from burdensome bureaucratic controls and improve the level of opportunity for all children. Focusing on the problems in cities, where far too many children have been denied access to quality institutions, the authors examine the lessons to be learned from Catholic schools, site-based management, private entrepreneurs, and specific developments in three cities—New York, Milwaukee, and Chicago. The authors, though realistic about the political and institutional obstacles that stand in the way of meaningful change, foresee the demise of the "one size fits all" approach to schooling. They envision a system of schools that is dynamic, diverse, performance based, and accountable; one that is supportive of professionals, responsive to creativity, intolerant of failure, and committed to high educational standards for all children. Contributors: Louann Bierlein Anthony Bryk John Chubb Chester Finn Paul Hill Valerie Lee Paul Peterson Diane Ravitch Joseph P. Viteritti Priscilla Wohlstetter

As we cross the threshold of a new century, which approaches are likely to improve public education? In this book, distinguished scholars discuss recent innovations, charter schools, contracting arrangements, and choice, designed to liberate educators from burdensome bureaucratic controls and improve the level of opportunity for all children.

Focusing on the problems in cities, where far too many children have been denied access to quality institutions, the authors examine the lessons to be learned from Catholic schools, site-based management, private entrepreneurs, and specific developments in three cities - New York, Milwaukee, and Chicago. The authors, though realistic about the political and institutional obstacles that stand in the way of meaningful change, foresee the demise of the "one size fits all" approach to schooling. They envision a system of schools that is dynamic, diverse, performance based, and accountable; one that is supportive of professionals, responsive to creativity, intolerant of failure, and committed to high educational standards for all children.

In this book, distinguished scholars discuss recent controversial innovations - charter schools, contracting arrangements, and choice - designed to liberate educators from burdensome bureaucratic controls and raise the level of opportunity for all children. The authors focus on the problems in cities, where far too many children have been denied access to quality institutions. Various essays explore the lessons to be learned from Catholic schools, site-based management, and private entrepreneurs, as well as specific developments in three cities - New York, Milwaukee, and Chicago. The contributors, though realistic about the political and institutional obstacles that stand in the way of meaningful change, foresee the demise of the "one size fits all" approach to schooling. They envision a system of schools that is dynamic, diverse, performance-based, and accountable - one that is supportive of professionals, responsive to creativity, intolerant of failure, and committed to high educational standards for all children Contents 5 Preface 7 Introduction 13 1. New York: The Obsolete Factory 29 2. The Charter School Movement 49 3. Contracting in Public Education 73 4. Lessons in School Reform from the Edison Project 98 5. School Choice in Milwaukee 135 6. Catholic Lessons for Public Schools 159 7. Chicago School Reform 176 8. Successful School-Based Management: A Lesson for Restructuring Urban Schools 213 9. The Politics of Change 238 10. Somebody's Children: Educational Opportunity for All American Children 263 Notes 287 Contributors 319 Index 323