Criticized for her leadership and clearly on her way out as Chicago schools chief, Supt. Argie Johnson has been offered a prominent position with the National Science Foundation.
The independent federal agency, based in Washington, promotes science and engineering research. Johnson, a former biochemist, has been asked to oversee the foundation’s highly touted effort to upgrade math and science instruction in inner-city schools nationwide.
Johnson refused to discuss any details Monday, saying that she hasn’t spoken to anyone with the group “for months.”
But Luther Williams, executive director of the group, said that he and the superintendent have been “negotiating” for weeks in an effort to hash out the details of a possible agreement.
If they accomplish that, Williams said, Johnson will be named to direct the Urban Systemic Initiative, which has been implemented in 16 cities, including New York and Chicago. The effort is the largest of the foundation’s 33 programs.
“She would be excellent,” said Williams, who added that Johnson expressed interest in the job as recently as last week.
“We’ve had some preliminary discussions. I’ve simply said I want her for the position. And if she desires to come aboard, the job is hers,” Williams said. “There is no other contender at this point. . . . We’ve been debating the specifics. But I’m willing to make the job fit whatever requirements she sets.”
The National Science Foundation was established by an act of Congress in 1950. Its director and deputy directors are appointed by the president of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Its purpose, according to its mission statement, is to “increase the national base of science and engineering knowledge.” It provides fellowships for research and graduate study, funds research institutions and supports national and international research programs.
Over the past two years, Johnson has garnered $17 million in grants from the foundation for the cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools.
“This is the perfect job for Argie,” one school board administrator said Monday. “Her strength has been her abilities as an educator. And since she’s been school chief, it has been clear that she loves science and math and that she realizes that inner-city children have too often gotten the short end of the stick in those subjects.”
Still, as Chicago’s schools chief, Johnson has had a reputation as an ineffective leader who, while obviously concerned about children, has not used her lofty position to buck the political status quo that so often is blamed for the school system’s failing performance.
Even as Mayor Richard Daley publicly gives Johnson a light pat on the back for her hard work in a tough position, it is abundantly clear that he has been only minimally impressed with her. Presumably, that is why Johnson’s name has not surfaced as part of the new lineup of city school leaders Daley is expected to name on Thursday.
Williams pointed to Johnson’s successful effort to increase high school math and science graduation requirements as examples of what led him to pursue her for the position at the foundation.
As a result of her proposal to change the way the district teaches science and math, the foundation last year awarded the Chicago schools a five-year, $15 million grant to establish the Chicago Systemic Initiative.
Under the aegis of that program, the city school system has formed a Math, Science and Technology Council, consisting of parents and community leaders; has participated in a national conference on technology in school reform; and has been awarded several grants to upgrade math and science instruction.
