In recent years, interest has spiked in data-driven decision making in education--that is, using various types of student data to inform decisions in schools and classrooms. In October 2008, the Council of the Great City Schools and American Institutes for Research (AIR) launched a project funded by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that focused…

The Council of the Great City Schools has prepared this ninth edition of Beating the Odds to give the nation an in-depth look at how big city schools are performing on the academic goals and standards set by the states. This analysis examines student achievement in mathematics and reading from spring 2006 through spring 2009. It also measures…

In recent years, interest has spiked in data-driven decision making in education--that is, using various types of student data to inform decisions in schools and classrooms. In October 2008, the Council of the Great City Schools and American Institutes for Research (AIR) launched a project funded by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that focused…

In 2010, approximately 14 percent of all students in the nation were enrolled in the organization's 65 urban school districts out of approximately 15,000 school districts nationwide. In addition, 21 percent of the nation's students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, 26 percent of English language learner (ELL) students and 24 percent of the…

This report presents the fifth in a series of polls that ask leaders in major U.S. urban public school systems about challenges they face and expectations for the future. The polls survey board members, superintendents, and other leadership staff. In January 2002, surveys were mailed to Great City School district leaders and senior staff and board…

This report presents the fourth in a series of polls that survey the leadership of U.S. major public school systems about the challenges they face and their expectations for the future. The poll surveys school board members, superintendents, and other leadership staff, as well as representatives of colleges and universities who work with the staff…

The impact of changes in the 1994-95 reauthorization of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act on the operations and effectiveness of Title I programs in the Great City Schools was studied through a survey of urban school districts. Responses were submitted by 34 school districts, representing approximately 23% of the Title I…

This preliminary report marks the first step in the efforts of a task force formed by the Council of the Great City Schools to reduce the gaps in student achievement by race, income, language, and gender. The report is based on data from 48 major urban school districts. A mixed picture has emerged. Some districts are placing their primary focus on…

This monograph is the third in a series of polls of the leadership of America's major public school systems. In addition to surveying board members, superintendents, and other leadership staff, this poll also included urban mayors and representatives of colleges and universities who work with staff and students of the member cities of the Council…