Views on the Benchmarks cities

"There are very few of our school systems that we could term ideal, but they’re working many times harder than most schools, public or private, anyplace else in the country to improve their quality.

"They’re really putting into effect a lot of the reforms the public is demanding, and they’re trying to work out ways to be ever more accountable and are paying much, much closer attention to their bottom line, which is student achievement.’’

His specific comments about the urban districts in the PG Benchmarks regions follow:

Pittsburgh: "One of the strongest urban public school systems in the country. Historically, they’ve been a leader. They’ve always been very creative and had very strong management. Continuing that will be the [school board’s] next major challenge.’’

Kansas City, Mo.: "There’s a school district really sitting on the bottom.’’

Cleveland: The district "for all intents and purposes had collapsed.’’ Now, he said, he has confidence in the mayor and superintendent who are trying to turn the system around.

Atlanta: It had stagnated but has confidence in its new leadership, which has "set some very ambitious benchmarks.’’

Denver: "Was a school district that suffered a fair amount of neglect over the years but has really turned itself around in the last two to three years.’’

Miami: Has had a series of very good superintendents and is "doing pretty well.’’

Milwaukee: "I have high hopes for Milwaukee. They’re a better school system than the public thinks.’’

Minneapolis: A school system that "typically has been good and has not lowered its standards over the years.’’

Portland: One of the "most thoughtful and progressive’’ districts in the nation.

St. Louis: Doing "fair. It’s a very poor city. It’s moving, but it’s got a ways to go.’’

San Diego: "Pretty good’’ over the years although it started to stagnate a little bit in the last few years. Now, new leadership is being "very aggressive in many of the reforms.’’

Seattle: "Good school system that has been blessed with very stable leadership and very strong community support.’’

Cincinnati: Reputation is "not as strong as it once was but is fair.’’