| Something exciting is happening in Pittsburgh. The | | | | Schools families are essential to the learning |
| educators and leaders of Pittsburgh Schools have | | | | process and that communities need to be |
| committed themselves to improving not only the | | | | committed and involved with the schools and |
| quality of education that students receive, but | | | | students to assure excellence. At the leadership |
| also the excellence at which they perform. But is | | | | level of Pittsburgh Schools, the plan calls for |
| this just talk, or really some action? Here are the | | | | improvements in effective and consistent |
| facts. | | | | leadership, and the establishment of a central |
| Representing the 2nd largest school district in | | | | office that exists to serve all students and all of |
| Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Public Schoolsserve | | | | Pittsburgh Schools. |
| 29,447 students in 65 schools. Three- and | | | | Aiming to take the No Child Left Behind Act one |
| four-year-olds are served through the Early | | | | step further, this ambitious Pittsburgh Schools plan |
| Childhood program which is held at 95 of | | | | comes complete with measurable objective for |
| Pittsburgh Schools. | | | | not only getting each student proficient, but also |
| In 2006, Superintendent Mark Roosevelt unveiled | | | | intends to increase the number of students rat |
| a new and ambitious plan to improve the success | | | | the highest levels of achievement. To this end, |
| of each student. Called "Excellence For All", the | | | | the superintendent has set high expectations with |
| plan asserts that children, no matter what part of | | | | measurable objectives for all students attending |
| the Pittsburgh community they come from, can | | | | Pittsburgh Schools. |
| achieve excellence. | | | | The Superintendent intends to increase the |
| The Pittsburgh Schools' mission statement reflects | | | | percentage of students who are proficient in |
| this plan. They want to be one of America's | | | | reading by the end of the 3rd grade from 49% |
| premier school districts, student-focused, | | | | to 80% in four years. Another important measure |
| well-managed, and innovative. | | | | that the reform agenda addresses is the high |
| The Excellence For All plan calls for leaders to hold | | | | school graduation. The Pittsburgh schools leader |
| themselves accountable for preparing all children | | | | wants to lower the drop out rate by 10%. |
| to not only achieve academic excellence, but also | | | | One way to check to see how many students |
| strength of character. Preparing these Pittsburgh | | | | are working at the highest levels is to look at the |
| Public Schools children for success will ultimately | | | | participation in Advanced Placement courses. The |
| give them opportunities they need to succeed in | | | | goal is to see twice as many students taking AP |
| all aspects of life; as children- but more | | | | exams, four times the number of |
| importantly as adults. | | | | African-American students taking these courses, |
| The Excellence For All plan is founded on some | | | | and the number of students scoring 3-5 on AP |
| core beliefs: that all children can learn at high | | | | exams will increase by 50%. |
| levels, that Pittsburgh Schools teachers are | | | | The truth is that every district creates a lofty set |
| integral to student development and deserve | | | | of goals that look good on paper. The real test will |
| plenty of training, support and resources, and that | | | | be what the Pittsburgh schools can actually make |
| education requires a safe and healthy learning | | | | happen in the real world. |
| environment. The plan also states that Pittsburgh | | | | |