A Reform for Troubled Times: Takeovers of Urban Schools

Abstract

Increasing pressure to improve low-performing schools—particularly those in central cities serving disadvantaged and minority students—has led to a host of reform efforts. This article focuses on a strategy that involves takeovers of troubled schools or entire systems by mayors, state legislatures, or control boards. Following the takeover of the Jersey City, New Jersey, schools in 1989, at least partial control of schools has been taken from elected boards in Chicago, Baltimore, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., and Detroit. Discussed in this article are some of the major issues involved with takeovers, including arguments for and against the practice, the policy questions it raises, and the all-important role race has played in the debate. The authors close with thoughts for evaluating the effectiveness of this increasingly popular, yet unproven, attempt at reforming low-achieving schools.