| Two years ago, in 2005, new Pittsburgh Public | | | | accountable for." |
| Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt inherited a | | | | Not only are Pittsburgh Schools working towards |
| troubled school district. In fact, Pittsburgh Schools | | | | these goals and beliefs, but they are also offering a |
| were placed on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's | | | | generous incentive plan for high school seniors. Hoping |
| district improvement list in 2005, based on results | | | | to encourage more students to graduate and |
| that did not meet requirements on the Pennsylvania | | | | continue onto college, Pittsburgh Schools and the City |
| System of Schools Assessment (PSSA). | | | | of Pittsburgh are issuing what is called "The |
| When Superintendent Roosevelt took over the | | | | Pittsburgh Promise." The promise pledges that |
| Pittsburgh Schools, he needed a plan to improve the | | | | starting in 2008; all graduates who meet certain |
| school system in order to move Pittsburgh Schools | | | | standards will have the means of getting |
| off of the improvement list. At that time, he | | | | post-secondary education. The district and the city |
| described and implemented an ambitious plan with | | | | hope to raise $5 - $7 million a year to make college |
| objectives not only for moving every student | | | | or other post-secondary education affordable. To |
| toward proficiency, but also for increasing the | | | | access the money, students will have to attend a |
| number of students who are achieving at the highest | | | | city public school, do their work, stay out of trouble, |
| levels. | | | | and graduate. |
| "When setting our objectives, we wanted to be | | | | So how are Pittsburgh Schools doing so far? At the |
| realistic yet inspirational. Werecognize that we must | | | | request of Superintendent Mark Roosevelt, an |
| change the hearts and minds of everyone - kids, | | | | organization known as RAND completed an analysis |
| parents,teachers, central office staff and the entire | | | | of the implementation of major district initiatives so |
| Pittsburgh Schools community - so we share in a | | | | far, and has suggested opportunities to strengthen |
| common belief that every child can achieve | | | | future implementation. RAND analyzed how each |
| excellence," said Superintendent Roosevelt. | | | | initiative supports Excellence for All, the district's |
| To that end, Pittsburgh Schools wrote a new mission | | | | improvement plan for increasing the academic |
| statement, which states that "Pittsburgh Schools will | | | | performance of all students. Findings showed |
| be one of America's premier school districts, | | | | improvements throughout Pittsburgh Schools so far, |
| student-focused, well-managed, and innovative. We | | | | but more work is needed. |
| will hold ourselves accountable for preparing all | | | | "We are firm in our commitment to being a learning |
| children to achieve academic excellence and strength | | | | organization that seeks to self-correct and constantly |
| of character, so that they have the opportunity to | | | | improve," said Pittsburgh Schools Superintendent |
| succeed in all aspects of life." | | | | Roosevelt. "We know improvements are needed and |
| Board Chair of the Pittsburgh Schools Education | | | | have already begun to make significant changes with |
| Committee Thomas Sumpter also noted that, | | | | our partners to address many of the |
| "Raising the achievement level of all students is | | | | recommendations …presented by RAND. |
| paramount, and that is what the District must be held | | | | |