News Stories
A Wrap Up
For the last two weeks, we've been looking at education reform in New Orleans to see what, if anything, Detroit Public Schools might be able to learn. We looked at charter schools, special education, and teacher training, among others. So, for the last installment in our series, Rebuilding Detroit Schools, we decided to turn... »
Students Speak
For the past two weeks, we’ve been hearing experts and adults weigh in about school reform. We want to wrap up our series Rebuilding Detroit Schools by talking to some students. We start our story with a profile of Dennis Black, who will graduate from Detroit’s Cody High School in a couple of... »
Closure Plan Threatens Standout Detroit School
For the past several days we've been looking at school reforms in New Orleans and Detroit. Yesterday, we heard about efforts to close or take over "failing" schools, but the steep enrollment decline in Detroit means even some schools that are doing well could have to shut their doors. Today we visit one of... »
How to Close a Failing School
No matter how many education reforms are in place, it’s inevitable that some schools won’t succeed – whether it’s failing to make adequate progress with student test scores or failing to have their finances in order. We’ll look at what happens when a school fails as part of our series, Rebuilding Detroit Schools. »
Importing the KIPP Model
New Orleans has spent the last several years rebuilding its school system, and it's turned to national charter companies to help get the job done. One of those is KIPP, which some school reform advocates hope to lure to Detroit. »
Teacher Preparation
For today's story in our Rebuilding Detroit Schools series, we'll focus on some of the most important people in a school: Teachers. Some experts say more needs to be done to prepare teachers for urban classrooms, whether that's through traditional teacher ed programs or alternative routes like Teach For America. »
Are Charters Opting Out of Special Ed?
All this week we’re looking at what lessons Detroit Public Schools may be able to learn from New Orleans’ schools. The majority of schools in New Orleans are charters. A big criticism of charter schools is that they don’t adequately serve special education students. »
Charters, A Mixed Bag
All this week, we're taking a look at the school reform lessons New Orleans might hold for Detroit. Charter schools are a major part of the New Orleans reform model. So today, Michigan Radio's Sarah Hulett and Jennifer Guerra take a look at charter schools' track record of success in both cities. »
Going Charter
All this week we're looking at what Detroit Public Schools can learn from post-Katrina New Orleans schools. One of the biggest education reforms in New Orleans is its push toward charter schools. We'll visit a charter school in New Orleans to see what could be in store for Detroit. »
An Introduction
Detroit has one of the worst school systems in the country. At one time, the same could be said of New Orleans' schools. But things have changed in the Big Easy. In this series we'll take an in depth look at the two school systems, and what lessons New Orleans might hold for Detroit. »
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Michigan Radio’s “Rebuilding Detroit Schools: A Tale of Two Cities” took a look at current educational challenges in Detroit and reform strategies being used in New Orleans.
CLICK HERE to learn more about our call-in show that aired on May 25, 2010
This project was made possible by grants from:
Order a free copy of the Rebuilding Detroit Schools video and audio DVD/CD set.