The New Academic Year 2007-2008
Reflections from a CEO
By Eric Nadelstern
For the 2007-08 school year, Empowerment Schools in NYC have nearly doubled to 496. Schools are grouped into 22 self-selected networks of 20-25, with a Network Leader and support team of 4 selected by the principals themselves. The job of the team is to get to “yes” as quickly as possible when a principal calls with a request or problem as a means of removing obstacles to student success.
Our student achievement results last year were better than the citywide averages, with Empowerment Schools improving by 1.5% on the State ELA Exam, as compared to an increase of .1 for all city schools; and, 8.8% on the Math Exam, as compared to 8.1%. Our goal is to demonstrate that by shifting responsibility, resources, authority and accountability from the central office to the schools themselves, more students will be more successful.
Those interested should contact me for further info at nadelstern@aol.com, or 212-374-6684.#
Eric Nadelstern is the CEO of Empowerment Schools, NYC.
