Interventions in low-performing schools.

The Franklin Learning Center (FLC) in Philadelphia, one of only two 2010 Blue Ribbon Schools in Pennsylvania, regularly sends more than 90 percent of its graduates on to college, a feat all the more impressive given that three-quarters of its students are from economically disadvantaged families. Begun more than 30 years ago in response to the high dropout rate at the nearby Benjamin Franklin High School, the Learning Center was originally modeled on a Catholic high school in Omaha, Neb. In addition to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation visiting FLC recently to find out more about its record of success, this year the school is a model for four Philadelphia schools slated for academic improvement. [More--The Philadelphia Inquirer] (Dec.28)

Sparked by the widely reported challenge grant from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, the Newark Public Schools undertook a door-to-door canvass last month, asking for suggestions for fixing the city's schools. In addition to homes, survey campaign volunteers visited welfare offices, high school sporting events, and homeless shelters, netting more than 20,000 completed questionnaires. Newark Mayor Cory Booker was among city leaders who also attended town-hall forums focused on getting ideas for school improvements, which were resulting in some "gems," according to the mayor. For instance, at one small-group breakout, a Newark principal suggested giving her and other principals more control over their schools' budgets. A report of the findings of the citywide canvass is expected this month. [More--The Wall Street Journal] (Dec. 22)