DETROIT — Detroit Public Schools has named a charter school company CEO to head the district’s own charter operations, The Detroit News reported.
Doug Ross, CEO of New Urban Learning, will head the DPS charter school office, which is expanding from nine to 14 schools this fall as the district makes a bid to improve student achievement by turning over selected schools to charter managers, according to The Detroit News. New Urban Learning runs seven charter schools in the city, The News reported, including the successful University Preparatory Academy.
In related news, some union teachers have said they will not return to Catherine Ferguson Academy, a former DPS school that now will be managed by charter company Evans Solutions, The News reported. The school will continue to serve teen mothers and expectant mothers, according to The News.
Academy Principal G. Asenath Andrews told The News that the switch to charter status will give her more flexibility, funding and control of hiring. Some teachers told her that they will leave the school rather than quit the Detroit Federation of Teachers, which represents educators in DPS schools, The News reported.
SOURCES:
The Detroit News, “DPS taps charter school leader Ross to head its program,” July 13, 2011
The Detroit News, “Newly chartered Catherine Ferguson Academy prepares for teen moms,” July 14, 2011
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “Can School Choice Work in Detroit?” Feb. 4, 2011
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