Who Determines Failure?

In a little over a week, the Chicago Board of Education will vote on the fates of ten schools that were identified as “failing.” One of these schools is Brian Piccolo Elementary School. Upon hearing of its potential closure and turnaround, 30 parents of students at the school organized a sit-in on Friday evening. One of these parents, Shronda Wilson, argues that "They have a new principal. They haven't given her a chance. She has come here from the beginning of the school year and done a tremendous job. They have good teachers here." The proposed closure did not involve the Local School Council and while the school community has proposed an alternative improvement plan, they say the Chicago Board of Education has failed to respond to it. The Chicago Board of Education has yet to respond to the sit-in at Piccolo Elementary.

With the recent announcement of school closures in Baltimore City, the reality for many students, parents, teachers, and communities is that they will need to find a new school for the next year. The recent events in Chicago Public Schools and other districts around the country shed light on the issue surrounding school closings and those deemed as “failing.” What measures are used to determine failure and ultimately, if the parents of the students believe in the school, can and should it affect the fate of the school?

The article can be found here.