BY DANA DiFILIPPO
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Public Schools administrators aim to implement a plan by August to improve the district's lowest-achieving schools. District officials are considering a range of strategies, including one adopted by Kentucky and another proposed by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), assistant superintendent Rosa Blackwell said.
Kentucky's reforms allow lawmakers to financially sanction or reward schools for academic achievement and appoint consultants to oversee schools' improvement efforts.
The AFT plan -- approved by the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers -- calls for the hiring of outside consultants to assess low-performing schools. Administrators then would consider a menu of reforms that couldinclude complete replacement of a school's program and leadership.
CPS leaders hope to have a draft plan ready within a month.
"Everyone will be held accountable for the achievement of students," Ms. Blackwell said.
Officials will identify the district's worst schools using such measures as academic achievement, dropout rates and student attendance assistant superintendent Kathleen Ware said.
Other ways being considered to raise performance include revamping the method of teacher evaluations, and beefing up teachers' training.
