Cleveland

CLEVELAND ROCKS by Rhonda L Pekow and Joseph O’Brien

Educational History 1998-2008 In Cleveland, just 28% of the class of 1998 earned a diploma. 23% of white students graduated -- far lower than any other district studied -26% of Latinos graduated 29% of AfricanAmericans graduated

Educational History 1998-2008 In Cleveland, just 28% of the class of 1998 earned a diploma. 23% of white students graduated -- far lower than any other district studied -26% of Latinos graduated 29% of AfricanAmericans graduated

A Perfect Storm...

Financial Crisis Poor Student Performance on Ohio State Exams 11 Superintendents in 18 years

A Perfect Storm...

Financial Crisis Poor Student Performance on Ohio State Exams 11 Superintendents in 18 years

Cleveland Demographics City Population: Estimated as of 2007: 438, 040 Census 2000: 478,403 African-American: 53.25% from African-American: 50.99% Caucasian: 38.28% from Caucasian: 41.49% Hispanic: 8.13% from Hispanic: 7.26% Asian: 1.71% from Asian: 1.35% Native American: 0.28% from Native American: 0.30% Median Income Family $30,280 (poverty rate: 32.4%) Poorest major city in the US in 2004 & 2006 Crime 2006 – ranked as the 4th most dangerous city in the US Violent crimes in Cleveland increased by 10% in 2005-2006

Mayor Michael White The Great Communicator...Ohio State Legislature gives Mayor control in 1998 with a Mayor Elected School Board Revitalized Cleveland’s reputation for business Educational Summits

Mayor Michael White The Great Communicator...Ohio State Legislature gives Mayor control in 1998 with a Mayor Elected School Board Revitalized Cleveland’s reputation for business Educational Summits

Race and Religion as Factors Mayor White’s powerbase in support of his takeover grew in this quest from African American and Church Based Groups as the Summits continued... Parents felt involved even amid the cacophony

Mayor White’s Rocky Road 2 Consecutive Resignations of Superintendents Agenda Driven School Board Financial Disaster132 Million loan in ‘92 failed to raise performance- 18 Million Dollar Cut

CEO: Barbara Byrd-Bennett From NYCDOE (left in 1998) One of the Top 5 Highest Paid Superintendents in the country (275,000) Led the Reform in the Classroom

CEO: Barbara Byrd-Bennett From NYCDOE (left in 1998) One of the Top 5 Highest Paid Superintendents in the country (275,000) Led the Reform in the Classroom

Ms. Byrd-Bennett’s Changes

Reduce Cabinet from 12 to 5 key members Presence in Schools Use of 6 Regions

A New Mayor: Jane Campbell

2002- 2005 Lost Reelection due to losing voters confidence due to slow improvements School Board Quagmire Mayor has no control of Budget

A New Mayor: Jane Campbell

2002- 2005 Lost Reelection due to losing voters confidence due to slow improvements School Board Quagmire Mayor has no control of Budget

Reaffirmation of Mayoral Control 2002 Cleveland Citizens voted to keep the system alive Single Gender Academies Ginn Academy

Current Mayor: Dr. Jackson Success Tech Shooting improves security measures Universal Uniforms Single Gender Academies Letter to Obama

Current CEO: Dr. Eugene Sanders Ohio’s Superintendent of the year Raised Graduation Rates and made AYP in Toledo Public Schools Moved from “Academic Watch” to “Continuous Improvement”

Current CEO: Dr. Eugene Sanders Ohio’s Superintendent of the year Raised Graduation Rates and made AYP in Toledo Public Schools Moved from “Academic Watch” to “Continuous Improvement”

Cleveland as a Model?

What we have learned...

THANK YOU by Rhonda L Pekow and Joseph O’Brien

Thank You