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June 10, 2011

An Interview with Joe Nathan: How Cincinnati, Ohio Public Schools Eliminated the High School Graduation Gap between White and African American Students

Michael F. Shaughnessy

1) Joe, there seems to be a lot of good news coming out of Cincinnati in terms of increased high school graduation rates. What's happening in Cincinnati?

Recently Elizabeth Holtzapple, Cincinnati Public Schools Director of Research, Evaluation and Testing, told me that the district's public schools increased overall high school graduation rates to 81.9% in 2010. That is up from 51% to 2000. She also reported the district also has maintained something major it first achieved in 2007. While continuing to increase overall high school graduation rates, CPS also has eliminated the high school graduation gap between white and African American students.

2) About how long has this concerted effort been going on?

This work has been going on for the last decade. It has involved a series of coordinated, research-based strategies, along with tremendous, creative and courageous work by people in schools, as well as the broader community. There was no single, "silver bullet."

3. What were the key strategies?

Cincinnati used several strategies. The most important included

Focusing on just a few goals (increasing overall graduation rates and reducing the high school graduation gap).

Taking educators, parents, community leaders and students to visit some of the nation's most effective urban district and charter public schools.

Focusing staff development on a few key areas: literacy, numeracy and learning to work more effectively with today's urban youth.

Increasing youth/community service so students learned they are capable of more than they thought.

Positive ongoing leadership from the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers

Holding principals accountable and replacing some in schools where there was not much progress.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at June 10, 2011 1:13 AM
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