Harvard+Elementary,+Chicago

http://chicagoweekly.net/2010/02/04/the-turnaround-the-academy-for-urban-school-leadership-is-transforming-chicagos-worst-public-schools-2/

http://iirc.niu.edu/School.aspx?source=School_Profile&schoolID=150162990252246&level=S

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andre-cowling/no-magic-bullets-but-harv_b_842569.html

For 2007-2008 school year, entire staff was fired. A company called 'The Academy For Urban School Leadership' (AUSL) took over and orchestrated the 'turnaround.'

School culture seems to have improved. Scores are still below the average for the district, but are much better than they were.

Composite score is now 65% vs. 73% for district and 82% for the state.

So far, it looks like they did improve this school. But with scores still below average, what does that say? Is getting a school from well below average to just somewhat below average really a miracle? If it is, what is the implication for low-income kids? If this qualifies as a true turnaround, isn't that the 'soft bigotry of low expectations?'