Credit for the successes (and failures) of school reform in Chicago is not the simple either/or proposition that Phil Hansen, chief accountability officer for the Chicago Public Schools, suggests in his recent letter “School promotions work” (Voice of the people, Sept. 26).
Chicago schools are doing better, but it’s because parents, teachers and principals were given increased power at the local level in 1988 and an effective central administration began taking responsibility for the overall accountability of the system in 1995.
Most experts agree that improving student performance takes time. Part of the reason we are seeing positive results in Chicago comes from the fact that we began in 1988. That fact doesn’t in any way diminish the accomplishments of the present administration. Parents and everyone else concerned with quality schools need to understand that Chicago’s unique approach–local control combined with a strong central administration–is the reason we are beginning to see results. This approach is not without its tensions, but why focus on or exacerbate the divisions? Let’s give everybody credit and get on with the job.
