TPS proposes dramatic changes for its low performing schools

Tulsa Public Schools is proposing drastic changes for its low performing schools.

It’s all part of an effort to reform McLain High School after it was listed as most in need of intervention. The two elementary schools that feed into McLain are Anderson and Burroughs.

Under an achievement model, the leadership would be replaced and teachers would have to reapply. It’s a model that has worked well at Rogers Early College High School.

The top three things that teachers and staff focus on at Rogers are academics, student behavior and accountability.

Principal Stacey Vernon has worked hard to create a culture of student excellence at her school. She hand picked each and every teacher as part of an effort to turn around a low performing school.

"It really has to be something that these teachers buy into,” says Vernon.

She says it’s important that every school member is on board.

"We have really worked hard this year to make sure that all of our students from the minute they walk in this door know what the academic requirements are,” Vernon says.

The leadership at TPS took notice of the changes, and is now hoping to do the same thing at Anderson and Burrough Elementary schools.

"It really has worked at Rogers quite well. We had taken the leadership there and changed leadership and have new staff there and created a whole new environment and culture,” says TPS spokesperson Chris Payne.

The achievement zone is a public school reform model proven successful in cities like Baltimore and Charlotte. The goal is that all 16 schools recently identified by the Board of Education as priority schools would be able to use the model to increase achievement.

Right now, the achievement zone is still in the early stages and still needs to be approved by the school board.