DETROIT - An audit criticizing the Detroit Public Schools for lack of a strategy to raise academic performance, manage facilities or control finances was scheduled to be released Wednesday by the Council of the Great Schools, according to The Detroit News.
The News, which reported obtaining a copy of the audit, said that it shows systemic problems across the district in the areas of staffing, instruction, financial operations and facilities management. The Council of Great Schools, based in Washington, D.C., is a national organization that represents urban school districts.
DPS already is under financial review by the state, and preliminary enrollment figures show a drastic decline since last year, the article said, though the tally is not final. Earlier reform measures have been "dismantled, implemented poorly or incompletely or ... showed substantial gaps," the News cited the audit.
School board members were scheduled to discuss the results of the review with Superintendent Connie Calloway, who requested the audit, and the council Wednesday.
SOURCE:
The Detroit News, "Audit gives Detroit failing grade," Oct. 1, 2008
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, "First class or 21st Century: Don't pass up chance to reform Detroit Public Schools," July 14, 2008
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