Post Tagged with: "Birmingham City Schools"

Supporters of the former superintendent displayed these, but they were outnumbered in the crowd and on the school board. Credit: Dan Carsen / WBHM
Alabama / Audio

Birmingham School Board Ousts Superintendent

by × on September 23, 2016 at 7:25 am × 0 comments

After a heated meeting on September 23, the board surprised many by voting 6-3 to fire Kelley Castlin-Gacutan. “Dr. G” had held the position for 14 months.

Screenshot of EdBuild map.
Alabama / Race

Study of School District Borders Shows US, AL Economic Segregation

by × on August 24, 2016 at 6:35 am × 0 comments

A wide body of research shows that students in poor school districts face real disadvantages. But the way the U.S. funds schools creates pockets of poverty right next to enclaves of wealth.

Time for serious discussion in JohnMark Edwards' eighth-grade social studies class at Phillips Academy in Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Dan Carsen.
Alabama / Teaching Tough Topics

Teaching Tough Topics: The Real History of the South

by × on November 30, 2015 at 11:31 pm × 0 comments

Teaching subjects that trigger strong emotions and political divides is challenging. In the South, many of those fault-lines — racial, religious and otherwise — are intimately tied to its history. This week the Southern Education Desk is exploring how teachers tackle tough topics. Our Alabama reporter starts with an overview of some the major challenges, and some of the ways teachers can get around them. Please note this report contains language some might find offensive.

After working several jobs this past year, James Hanks got his high school diploma on May 14. But as he'll tell you below, he used to focus on all the wrong things. Photo by Dan Carsen.
Alabama / Audio / Multimedia / Special Coverage

INTERVIEW: James Hanks, Birmingham Dropout Recovery Graduate

by × on May 29, 2015 at 4:21 pm × 4 comments

The U.S. Secretary of Education recently recognized Alabama for having one of the nation’s steepest increases in high school graduation rates. Birmingham City Schools’ rate increased even more – up roughly 23 percent in the last four years. The latest data reported to the state education department puts the system’s rate at 79 percent — just below the national average. Alabama reporter Dan Carsen sits down with James Hanks, an 18-year-old who just graduated through Birmingham Schools’ Dropout Recovery Program.

Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Craig Witherspoon makes a point during Friday's press conference. Behind him are, left to right, school board Vice President Sherman Collins Jr., board President Randall Woodfin, board member Sandra Brown, and board member Lyord Watson. Photo by Dan Carsen.
Alabama / Audio / Multimedia

Birmingham City Schools Taken Off Accreditation Probation

by × on May 3, 2014 at 1:13 pm × 0 comments

The international accreditation agency AdvancEd has released a report based on their team’s March visit to Birmingham City Schools. Although the report noted many areas still in need of improvement, the agency upgraded the school system from “probation” to “accredited, warned.” In response, school leaders called a press conference. Our Alabama reporter Dan Carsen recorded it and broke it down for listeners. The story also includes links to background information and a previously broadcast interview with AdvancEd CEO Mark Elgart.

A typical day at Jones Valley Teaching Farm in Birmingham. Contributed photo.
Alabama / Audio / Special Coverage / Uncategorized

INTERVIEW: Head Of Urban Teaching Farm On “Sustainability” Education

by × on April 16, 2014 at 12:33 pm × 0 comments

In the middle of urban Birmingham, there’s a farm. Jones Valley Teaching Farm is an education center offering students and families gardening, nutrition courses, fresh food, and much more. With Earth Day and Arbor Day coming up, our Alabama reporter Dan Carsen sat down with its Executive Director, Grant Brigham. Dan starts off by asking Brigham if he sees the farm playing a part in Birmingham’s long-term sustainability.

Challenging work brings out a range of emotions in a technology class at Phillips Academy in downtown Birmingham. Photo by Dan Carsen.
Alabama / Audio / Poverty / Race / Special Coverage

Birmingham Schools, Takeover To Today, Part 3: Turning A Corner? Looking Ahead

by × on December 18, 2013 at 11:56 pm × 2 comments

Birmingham, Ala.– The Alabama State Department of Education’s intervention team has left Birmingham City Schools. ALSDE staff are approving local board agendas and monitoring finances from Montgomery. A year and a half after the state first took the reins, the local board is quietly going about its business. As 2014 approaches, [...]

"I get it" lightbulbs are lit in this technology class at Phillips Academy in downtown Birmingham. Photo by Dan Carsen.
Alabama / Audio / Poverty / Race / Special Coverage

Birmingham Schools, Takeover To Today, Part 2: A View From The Classroom Level

by × on December 17, 2013 at 9:51 pm × 1 comment

In any big institution, good things are usually happening even when problems get the attention. This week we’re airing and publishing a three-part “status update” on Birmingham City Schools, from the state takeover to today. Yesterday, Part One explored some of the reasons why the state intervened and the district could lose accreditation. Today in Part Two, our Alabama reporter Dan Carsen talks with teachers, parents, and students to get a different view — a view from the ground level.

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