This story is iconic of urban education — the story of how well-intentioned and short-sighted ‘fixes’ create ever more crushing pressures on teachers such that it becomes less and less likely that we can effect lasting systemic change.
Loyal reader
Nicki (owner of Nugget and Papas) loved
last week’s podcast episode on the controversial
Success Academy. She pointed out that although some educators may decry the charter’s methods, its results are beyond reproach:
While I disagree with some of the methods of Success Academy, I cannot argue against its success and its impact on students. Success Academy demonstrates significant results in terms of student achievement: their African American and Latinx students perform just as well or even better than their white student counterparts. This is no small feat. Their success in academics means far more for their lives and for their families because they can go to college, obtain a degree, and change their families’ outcomes for generations to come. The impact goes beyond each individual student; it changes a family’s trajectory. Parents want this for their children and their families. Families are exercising their choice in school selection, and there is a need for quality schools in the communities that the schools are in. If parents are choosing Success Academy regardless of its methods, does it really matter then if Success Academy is seen as a hero or a villain?
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Thank you for reading this Thanksgiving issue of The Highlighter! Use the thumbs below to tell me what you thought.
Also, let’s welcome this week’s new subscriber Krzysztof. If you value The Highlighter, please:
I really appreciate your support. On the other hand, if it’s a pain to click on this email every week,
please unsubscribe. I’ll see you back here next Thursday at 9:10 am. Have a great week!
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