Tagged: Southern Education Desk

Before the Mobile County school system reconstituted George Hall in 2004, less than half its students were on grade level. Discipline problems spilled out into the neighborhood. Its reputation had plummeted to the level of its test scores.

But as state Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice puts it, “It’s remarkable to think where they were eight years ago and where they are today. The demographics of the students have not changed at all, but their academic achievement has soared.”

The positive reinforcement that is a mainstay of classes at Mobile, Alabama’s George Hall Elementary mirrors the praise coming in from around the country. At least 95 percent of students here consistently score at or above grade level in math and reading. Educators from other districts come to observe and learn. It’s been a national Blue Ribbon school, a state Torchbearer School, and according to tech giant Intel, it has the best elementary math instruction in the United States.

But it wasn’t always like this. Before 2004, its chronic “low-performing” status, behavior problems, and failure to teach the most basic skills were the norm.

Failing schools can flounder for years. But occasionally a school will buck the trend and turn things around. Heidelberg Elementary in Clarksdale, Mississippi was once a failing magnet school.  In a year’s time, it’s made one of the biggest test score gains in the state.

In Knoxville, Tennessee, one school climbed from the state’s failing list to a top ten list in three years. The Southern Education Desk reports, as a new principal, Elisa Luna had inherited a violent inner-city school.