Abstract: This paper tells the stories of the conversions of Gompers and Keiller public schools in San Diego to Gompers Charter Middle School and the Keiller Leadership Academy. Less than 18 months since the once-failing schools re-emerged as charters, families are happier, the schools are safer, and there are early indications that there is significant academic improvement. The authors profile Alan Bersin, the former superintendent of San Diego’s schools who shepherded the conversion process, and detail what type of leadership is necessary for districts to successfully take on NCLB’s seldom-used charter school restructuring strategy.
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