Indeed! This is what can happen when we focus on what is best for children. I wish the superintendent felt the same way.

Liz,
Then why didn't the headline read, "Turnaround shows amazing work of teachers and kids at Dundalk" Again, the Sun picks on a blue collar community. Congrats to you for addressing the fact that good things are happening.

"There were some good teachers, but many more were uninspired and resistant to attempts to improve their teaching."
According to whom? According to the guy who was ordered to clean house? How convenient for him. Poor guy wasn't sure he cut enough of those cancerous experienced teachers. He's a regular Michelle Rhee complete with broom.
The anecdotal evidence of Didi and Shain can be found in every public school in the country. Every single school has stories just like that - interview any random kid!
Dundalk High is not a success story, it's a facade that gives people like Arne Duncan and Michelle Rhee fuel for their "fire everybody and hire short-term TFA near-slaves" fire.
We teachers have been giving the inside scoop to Inside Ed for years. Have you listened to us AT ALL?
I am disappointed and upset that you're now a part of this baloney "reform" narrative.

Another great story by Liz Bowie. Whether this, or the plight of homeless students, she is consistently at the top of her game and one of the most underrated reporters in the region.

The one in a million stories does the heart good but causes the head pain. Cross reference this to the three stories in the current version of the Urbanite and one can quickly understand that the root causes of the struggle are not being fully discussed and that current government backed reform policies are lacking.

http://www.urbanitebaltimore.com/

Liz:

Thank you for the article......

Maybe this had to do with the fact that this year there was a college prep coach, Sarah Miller, who loved her job and the students. Will she be there this year? As of now, she has not been contacted by the administration to return. A true disservice to Dundalk students.

And Big Joe at Greenwood keeps cutting teachers and hiring bureaucrats.

"City Teacher" is right. I have been an educator in Balt. City Schools for 3 years and have seen nothing but 'Teach For America' (TFA) programs producing inadequate teachers year after year. When I first started in the city, all new teachers were required to attend NTI (New Teachers Introduction). Out of a classroom of 50, only 3 people, including myself, were Education Majors. That's ridiculous! Just because you had a 4.0 at Harvard or Yale doesn't mean you have the commitment, dedication or knowledge to educate our youth. Classroom management is a huge problem in the city and a 6 week crash course on 'how to be a teacher' does not cut it. The best lesson plan/curriculum in the world will not be effective if you can't control the students your teaching. I understand that hiring these so called 'teachers' is cost effective, but at what price? Our childrens education?! Programs like TFA are ruining schools all across the nation, while college educated teachers who went to school to be an EDUCATOR sit on the sidelines waiting and praying for an opening. Alonso is setting the city up for failure and the repercussions will last way past his tenure as Superintendent . Enough is enough. GET HIM OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS!!!!!