| Two years ago, in 2005, new Pittsburgh Public | | | | working towards these goals and beliefs, but they |
| Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt inherited a | | | | are also offering a generous incentive plan for high |
| troubled school district. In fact, Pittsburgh Schools | | | | school seniors. Hoping to encourage more |
| were placed on the Commonwealth of | | | | students to graduate and continue onto college, |
| Pennsylvania's district improvement list in 2005, | | | | Pittsburgh Schools and the City of Pittsburgh are |
| based on results that did not meet requirements | | | | issuing what is called "The Pittsburgh Promise." |
| on the Pennsylvania System of Schools | | | | The promise pledges that starting in 2008; all |
| Assessment (PSSA). When Superintendent | | | | graduates who meet certain standards will have |
| Roosevelt took over the Pittsburgh Schools, he | | | | the means of getting post-secondary education. |
| needed a plan to improve the school system in | | | | The district and the city hope to raise $5 - $7 |
| order to move Pittsburgh Schools off of the | | | | million a year to make college or other |
| improvement list. At that time, he described and | | | | post-secondary education affordable. To access |
| implemented an ambitious plan with objectives not | | | | the money, students will have to attend a city |
| only for moving every student toward | | | | public school, do their work, stay out of trouble, |
| proficiency, but also for increasing the number of | | | | and graduate. So how are Pittsburgh Schools |
| students who are achieving at the highest levels. | | | | doing so far? At the request of Superintendent |
| "When setting our objectives, we wanted to be | | | | Mark Roosevelt, an organization known as RAND |
| realistic yet inspirational. We recognize that we | | | | completed an analysis of the implementation of |
| must change the hearts and minds of everyone - | | | | major district initiatives so far, and has suggested |
| kids, parents, teachers, central office staff and | | | | opportunities to strengthen future implementation. |
| the entire Pittsburgh Schools community - so we | | | | RAND analyzed how each initiative supports |
| share in a common belief that every child can | | | | Excellence for All, the district's improvement plan |
| achieve excellence," said Superintendent | | | | for increasing the academic performance of all |
| Roosevelt. To that end, Pittsburgh Schools wrote | | | | students. Findings showed improvements |
| a new mission statement, which states that | | | | throughout Pittsburgh Schools so far, but more |
| "Pittsburgh Schools will be one of America's | | | | work is needed. "We are firm in our commitment |
| premier school districts, student-focused, | | | | to being a learning organization that seeks to |
| well-managed, and innovative. We will hold | | | | self-correct and constantly improve," said |
| ourselves accountable for preparing all children to | | | | Pittsburgh Schools Superintendent Roosevelt. "We |
| achieve academic excellence and strength of | | | | know improvements are needed and have |
| character, so that they have the opportunity to | | | | already begun to make significant changes with |
| succeed in all aspects of life." Board Chair of the | | | | our partners to address many of the |
| Pittsburgh Schools Education Committee Thomas | | | | recommendations ...presented by RAND." |
| Sumpter also noted that, "Raising the | | | | Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, |
| achievement level of all students is paramount, | | | | providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public |
| and that is what the District must be held | | | | and private K-12 schools. |
| accountable for." Not only are Pittsburgh Schools | | | | |