Cleveland can be a tough place, what with its harsh winters and difficult economic times. Its education politics aren't especially welcoming, either; Cleveland is home to one of the most restrictive teachers union contracts in the country, for example. So it's doubly heartening to see the district reach out to some of the city's highest performing charter schools in an effort to bury hatchets and benefit children. According to this Plain Dealer article :
Instead of slipping on boxing gloves, leaders of traditional public education and upstart charter schools treated one another with kid gloves on Wednesday, agreeing to work together to provide opportunities for all Cleveland children. "We're in this together," said Eric Gordon, chief academic officer for the Cleveland public schools. "We either go down together, or we reinforce things that work."
What a great way to celebrate National Charter Schools Week . If it can happen in Cleveland, it can happen anywhere.
Photo by Flickr user spatulated .
