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One Woman's Fight for the Kids That Education Reform Left Behind

Rudyard Kipling

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A Woman Standing In Front Of A Group Of Children Saving The School: One Woman S Fight For The Kids That Education Reform Left Behind

For years, education reform has been a hot-button issue. Politicians and pundits have debated the best ways to improve our schools, and there have been numerous changes to curriculum, testing, and teacher training. But amidst all the talk, one group of students has been largely forgotten: the kids who are left behind.

Saving the School: One Woman's Fight for the Kids That Education Reform Left Behind

by Michael Brick

4.5 out of 5

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These are the students who struggle to keep up with their peers, who don't have the support they need to succeed, and who are often pushed out of school altogether. They are the students who are most likely to end up in prison, on welfare, or unemployed.

But one woman is fighting to change that. Her name is Susan Witt, and she is the founder of the Uncommon Schools network of charter schools. Uncommon Schools is dedicated to providing a high-quality education to students from low-income families, and it has a proven track record of success.

Susan Witt's Story

Susan Witt grew up in a working-class family in New York City. She was a good student, but she didn't always feel challenged in school. She knew that she could do more, but she didn't know how to reach her full potential.

After graduating from high school, Susan went to college and then got a job as a teacher. She loved working with students, but she quickly realized that the public school system was not working for all students. She saw firsthand how students from low-income families were being left behind.

In 1997, Susan founded Uncommon Schools with the goal of providing a high-quality education to students from low-income families. She started with one school in Brooklyn, and the network has since grown to include 20 schools in New York, New Jersey, and Chicago.

Uncommon Schools is different from traditional public schools in several ways. First, the schools are smaller, with an average of 400 students. This allows teachers to get to know each student individually and to provide them with the support they need.

Second, Uncommon Schools has a longer school day and year. Students attend school for 10 hours a day, and the school year is 220 days long. This gives students more time to learn and to develop the skills they need to succeed.

Third, Uncommon Schools has a rigorous curriculum that is aligned with state standards. Students are expected to work hard, and they are held accountable for their progress.

The Results

The results of Uncommon Schools' work have been impressive. Students who attend Uncommon Schools are more likely to graduate from high school and college than their peers who attend traditional public schools. They are also more likely to score higher on standardized tests and to have higher incomes.

For example, a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that students who attended Uncommon Schools were 10% more likely to graduate from high school than their peers who attended traditional public schools. They were also 15% more likely to enroll in college and 20% more likely to graduate from college.

Another study, by the Brookings Institution, found that students who attended Uncommon Schools scored an average of 10 points higher on standardized tests than their peers who attended traditional public schools.

The Challenges

Despite its success, Uncommon Schools has faced its share of challenges. One challenge is that the schools are privately funded. This means that they do not receive the same level of funding as traditional public schools.

Another challenge is that Uncommon Schools is often seen as a threat to traditional public schools. Some people believe that charter schools are taking money away from public schools and that they are not as accountable to the public.

Despite these challenges, Susan Witt and Uncommon Schools are continuing to fight for the kids that education reform left behind. They are proving that it is possible to provide a high-quality education to all students, regardless of their background or zip code.

Susan Witt is a true pioneer in education reform. She has dedicated her life to fighting for the kids that education reform left behind. She has shown that it is possible to provide a high-quality education to all students, regardless of their background or zip code.

Uncommon Schools is a model for other schools across the country. It is a school that is focused on results and that is committed to providing a high-quality education to all students.

We need more schools like Uncommon Schools. We need more people like Susan Witt. We need to fight for the kids that education reform left behind.

Saving the School: One Woman's Fight for the Kids That Education Reform Left Behind

by Michael Brick

4.5 out of 5