Reforming a School System, Reviving a City : The Promise of Say Yes to Education in Syracuse

Can a bold investment in education turn around the economy of an entire city? Gene I. Maeroff, former national education correspondent for the New York Times, explores how the nonprofit group Say Yes to Education has instituted a network of reforms in Syracuse, New York, that aim to expand the city's the middle class by supporting its children. Can a bold investment in education turn around the economy of an entire city? Gene I. Maeroff, a former education reporter for the New York Times, explores how the nonprofit group Say Yes to Education has instituted a network of reforms in Syracuse, New York, that supports students at every level from kindergarten through college. He traces out how Say Yes and the Syracuse school district built a coalition of partners in business, education, and local and state government, implemented a series of programs to improve the school system, and reached out to support students. Telling the story and identifying the strengths of this remarkable and replicable program, Maeroff shows how this focused, directed, and broad-based coalition has created a model for reviving the economy and civic fabric of American cities by investing in children's education. Maeroff brings great insight and clarity to this project. Educators, policymakers and anyone concerned about the future of American education will find much to learn in this book." - Pedro A. Noguera, Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education, New York University, USA "Amid urban school reform failures by both government agencies and big-ticket donors since the 1990s comes Gene I. Maeroff's report on the Say Yes foundation's work in Syracuse, where it guarantees free college tuition to every high school graduate. In cooperation with city officials, business leaders, and college presidents, the Say Yes foundation seeks no less than improving schools and student lives but goes further in wanting to revitalize the economic, social, and cultural life of this mid-size city. While it is a work in progress after five years and much remains to be done in Syracuse, Say Yes's work does offer a model of school and city cooperation that promises an educational and urban makeover.- Maeroff documents in clear, crisp language the errors in earlier reform models, bumps in Syracuse's road, and lessons anchored in Say Yes's ambitious efforts. Reformers need to heed the errors, bumps, and lessons in this ambitious, far-reaching venture." - Larry Cuban, Professor Emeritus of Education, Stanford University, USA Can A Bold Investment In Education Turn Around The Economy Of An Entire City? Gene I. Maeroff, A Former Education Reporter For The New York Times, Explores How The Nonprofit Group Say Yes To Education Has Instituted A Network Of Reforms In Syracuse, New York, That Supports Students At Every Level From Kindergarten Through College. He Traces Out How Say Yes And The Syracuse School District Built A Coalition Of Partners In Business, Education, And Local And State Government, Implemented A Series Of Programs To Improve The School System, And Reached Out To Support Students. Telling The Story And Identifying The Strengths Of This Remarkable And Replicable Program, Maeroff Shows How This Focused, Directed, And Broad-based Coalition Has Created A Model For Reviving The Economy And Civic Fabric Of American Cities By Investing In Children's Education-- The Stakes -- Say Yes To Education -- Elements Of Collaboration -- Getting Started In Syracuse -- Teaching And Learning -- Outside Influences On The Classroom -- Extended Time For Learning -- Making Time More Productive -- Weaving A Web Of Social And Emotional Support -- Getting Ready For College -- A Summer Bridge -- Paying The Bills -- Lifting The City -- Putting It All In Perspective. Gene I. Maeroff. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xi The Stakes....Pages 1-15 Say Yes to Education....Pages 17-32 Elements of Collaboration....Pages 33-45 Getting Started in Syracuse....Pages 47-58 Teaching and Learning....Pages 59-73 Outside Influences on the Classroom....Pages 75-84 Extended Time for Learning....Pages 85-94 Making Time More Productive....Pages 95-104 Weaving a Web of Social and Emotional Support....Pages 105-117 Getting Ready for College....Pages 119-134 A Summer Bridge....Pages 135-146 Paying the Bills....Pages 147-156 Lifting the City....Pages 157-171 Putting It All in Perspective....Pages 173-184 Back Matter....Pages 185-227