Despite questions about the rate of teacher turnover, Pittsburgh Public Schools officials last night insisted that their eight accelerated learning academies are moving students ahead and serving as models for other district schools.

The school board Education Committee meeting was held to answer questions about turnover and related issues posed by board members.

Administrators also took the opportunity to address an April 12 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story that showed 33 percent of the academies' original teachers and other professionals already had resigned, retired or transferred to other schools.

Before the academies debuted in August 2006, administrators had asked the professionals to commit to staying at least three years in the schools to promote stability and strong school cultures. That commitment expires later this month.

Christiana Otuwa, the assistant superintendent who oversees the academies, emphasized that many of the teachers who transferred did so only because of declining enrollments. Because there wasn't enough work for them at the academies, she said, the employees were involuntarily moved to other schools.

The Post-Gazette made that point in its story.

The eight academy principals attended last night's meeting and said they were proud of the work being done in the schools. Dr. Otuwa and James Nath, principal of Pittsburgh Murray PreK-8 in Mount Oliver, said some staff members who left weren't up to the job anyway.

"Some of the people who left weren't cut out for an ALA," Mr. Nath said. "It's very rigorous. It's a fast-paced environment."

In addition to the 33 percent turnover of teachers and other professionals, the district also has lost three of the original eight academy principals. A fourth will transfer out of his ALA July 1.

The academies use the America's Choice package of teaching strategies and curriculum supplements. They also have a longer school day and year than the district standard.

District Superintendent Mark Roosevelt last night said turnover is to be "expected and not feared." He said it's common for high-performing urban schools to have high turnover, in part because some staff members find the expectations or workloads are not for them.

Dr. Otuwa emphasized that two-thirds of the academies' original faculty members remain in place and are committed to the work.

"They want to be there," she said. "They're working very hard."