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Mark Warren argues that community organizing is key to address the persistent failure of public schooling in low-income communities. A Match on Dry Grass: Community Organizing as a Catalyst for School Reform, written with Karen L. Mapp, is based on a comprehensive national study, the book presents rich and compelling case studies of prominent organizing efforts in Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Denver, San Jose, and the Mississippi Delta. He’s joined by Desiree Pilgrim Hunter, board president and leader of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, one of the organizations profiled in the book.

Journalist Steven Brill discusses the battle over public school reform. Class Warfare: Inside the Fight to Fix America’s Schools looks at the people and issues involved, from President Obama’s education reform policies, to activist parents, to billionaire funders, to state capitols, to teachers and teachers unions.

The appointment of Cathleen Black as Schools Chancellor demonstrates that Mayor Bloomberg has listened to what parents and educators believe is needed in a leader of the city schools.  

Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, offers his take on the next schools chancellor, Cathie Black.

New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein told WNYC’s “Brian Lehrer Show” that he agrees with President Obama’s plan to reward states and districts that can measure which teachers are most effective.

Klein’s stand was not surprising, given that he backed a plan last year that would have linked teacher tenure to student achievement. But the plan died in Albany when the state legislature sided with the teachers union by explicitly banning districts from using student test scores to evaluate teachers.

Now that the Obama Administration is encouraging states to apply for $5 billion worth of stimulus grants that reward states for using data systems and measuring teachers, Klein says he’ll continue to argue that test scores can tell you something about which teachers are most effective. And he’s willing to make that case to the governor. A few weeks ago, Governor Paterson told “The Brian Lehrer” show that he had concerns about such a system because it’s hard to compare teachers in high performing schools to those with more challenging populations. When asked about that comment, Klein said he wants to sit down with Paterson to explain his position.