Drew Charter School Serves As A Model For APS Goals

Atlanta Public Schools could lose control of more than 40 percent of its schools if voters approve a plan in November to let the state take over the ones it deems as “failing.” It could also lose money. The local revenue used to run the schools would go to the state instead of the district.

With so much at stake, APS Superintendent Meria Carstarphen devised a plan to turn around the district’s underperforming schools. Whether it will work is an open question. But APS is moving forward with the $24 million plan. It includes merging some schools, closing others and hiring nonprofit organizations to help run certain schools and train principals. One of the nonprofits, Purpose Built Schools, has built an academic program based on Atlanta’s Drew Charter School. Drew will serve students in prekindergarten through 12th grades next year.

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