1991

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January
Ninth-grade proficiency scores show that 10% of 3,654 pupils passed all four parts, ranking Cleveland schools at the bottom of the state’s large urban districts.

A city residency requirement causes a shortage of prospective teachers.

May
State Education Supt. Walter cites the district for poor management and unresponsive bureaucracy.

June
At the second Cleveland Summit on Education, business, government, education and community leaders sign an historic pact, vowing to restore city schools to academic excellence.

August
In a move toward decentralization, four schools pilot "local school governance," bringing together parents, teachers, business and community leaders with principals to manage a school.

November
Signaling support for reform, Mayor White’s "L-Slate"—Leon Lawrence, Susan Leonard, Lawrence Lumpkin and James Lumsden—wins election to the board, ousting long-time member Mildred Madison.

The District Community Council’s informal survey shows 70% of teachers report shortages of textbooks and teaching materials.

Supt. Huml tells a City Club Forum that he will ask the new board to place a 9.8-mill operating levy on the ballot. The board refused to present five previous levy proposals to the voters.

December
Schools as Neighborhood Resources, the first initiative of the Cleveland Summit on Education, becomes a reality, drawing 500 youngsters and adults to register for "after hours" programs, adult classes and athletics.

 

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Research: Barbara Good and staff

Sources: The Plain Dealer, proceedings of Cleveland School Board meetings, school district annual reports.

Photos: Cleveland Municipal School District, U.S. District Court, Cleveland City Council

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CATALYST: For Cleveland Schools is an independent publication created to document, analyze and support improvement efforts in Cleveland's public schools.