The “Portfolio” Model and the Future of U.S. Urban School Reform: Lessons From New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Beyond

Session Type: Invited Session

Abstract

The century-old One Best System of district-based public education is being seriously challenged by intensive market-based approaches. New Orleans is the most extreme example, turning almost all their public schools over to charter operators, eliminating school attendance zones, hiring mostly inexperienced teachers with alternative preparation, and sidelining teachers’ unions and tenure protections—all simultaneously. New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angles, Detroit, Washington, DC and others are embracing similar "portfolio" models and others are watching closely. This moderated panel will consider the potential of this approach as a national model for urban school reform. Bringing a range of perspectives from those working in portfolio cities and others writing about these reforms, panelists will discuss: What advantages and disadvantages of this type of model are beginning to emerge? What are the most important differences in the models across cities? Would these new models work the same way in other cities?

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chair

• Douglas N. Harris, Tulane University

Participants

• Jeffrey R. Henig, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Paul Hill, University of Washington

• James J. Kemple, New York University

• Gloria J. Ladson-Billings, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• James H. Lytle, University of Pennsylvania

• Andre Perry, Davenport University