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Saturday, February 25, 2012

Saving Kansas City Schools Means Rescuing A City : NPR

Saving Kansas City Schools Means Rescuing A City : NPR:

Saving Kansas City Schools Means Rescuing A City

The entire public school system in Kansas City, Mo., has flunked.

The state board of education revoked its accreditation on Jan. 1. The Kansas City public schools met just three of the 14 standards set by the board for basic proficiency. They received failing grades for attendance, graduation rates plus math and reading and writing scores.

There have been decades of mismanagement, declining enrollment and revolving-door superintendents. Now, there's a struggle for the future of the schools that may also be a battle for Kansas City itself.

The Education Effect

"I can't think of anything that I'm supposed to do as the mayor of this city that isn't some way