Education Spotlight:
New York City’s Education Reform  

With No Child Left Behind on hold in Congress, attention has turned to education reform in New York City as a model for school accountability and student achievement.

Located in a high-poverty neighborhood near three homeless shelters in New York's South Bronx, Public School 157 could have been just another failed urban school. And yet the elementary school just won an "A" rating from New York City's education chancellor, placing it above many from wealthy neighborhoods.

At a time when the nation's primary driver of school reform — the No Child Left Behind law — is caught up in presidential politics, it's a case study in how to succeed. It should also prod educators to move ahead, not wait to see how No Child Left Behind will change once Congress renews it. 

… The school's results debunk the idea that tough testing regimens guarantee that schools will develop a deadening drill-and-test culture. PS 157 students get full exposure to the arts, including ballroom dancing lessons during school hours.

"All children should be exposed, especially our children who have few opportunities," says Duran. Of the school's students, 77% are Hispanic, 20% black. Nine in 10 live in poverty. True, plenty of schools in upper-income neighborhoods have higher overall test scores. Today in New York, some of them are crying foul over the new school grades. But those schools aren't adding the same kind of educational value Duran adds in PS 157. 

... New York City's reform effort is far better than that of most districts. And if it can happen there, it can happen anywhere. 

“Our view on improving schools: New York offers blueprint for local education reform”

December 3, 2007 USA TODAY >> 

With No Child Left Behind on hold in Congress, attention has turned to education reform in New York City as a model for school accountability and student achievement.

• "Shaping the system that grades the city’s schools,” The New York Times >> 
• "The great experiment," The Economist >> 

Education Reform: A Moral Imperative 

Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, addressed the pressing need for education reform in a speech before the DC Rotary.

It's perfectly clear that the toughest, most important competitive race in the 21st century worldwide economy will be the global race for talent and workers. You can see this in industry after industry, from sector to sector. The question is the same all over the world: How are we going to find, train, and keep the best workers?

It's very simple--the nations that do the best job educating their children and attracting talent will succeed. Those that don't, won't.

... Helping children achieve their dreams and ensuring America's global competitiveness are vitally important to the business community. We're committed to creating education systems that are accountable, rigorous, innovative, and focused on achievement.

Read the full speech >>