WAMU 88.5 : News

Filed Under:

Sousa Middle School Seen As Positive DCPS Example

Play associated audio
DCPS interim Chancellor Kaya Henderson, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and State Superintendent Hosanna Mahaley.
Kavitha Cardoza
DCPS interim Chancellor Kaya Henderson, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and State Superintendent Hosanna Mahaley.

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and interim Chancellor Kaya Henderson kicked off a back to school event. And Gray calls improvements at Sousa Middle School in Southeast D.C. an example of education reform he'd like to see District-wide.

Henderson calls Sousa Middle School an example of DCPS at it's best. She says students have a renovated building, a principal she calls "fantabulous" and in three years, "We've been able to increase reading scores by 30 percent and increase math scores by 18 percent."

Student Quentin Datcher, 12, says he has new teachers trying new methods of teaching and giving them more challenging coursework. Students have extra tutoring and Saturday classes. And he asks Gray a question everyone concerned with education reform is asking:

"Sousa has become one of the more best schools in the District. I just want to know how will you take what Sousa has done and give it to other schools?"

Gray says it's all about empowering the principal and teachers to make needed changes.

"Over time, what we've seen is a huge gap between the control over education and the responsibility, if you will," he says.

Gray still needs to name a permanent chancellor for D.C. Public Schools.

NPR

Cannes Film Festival Keeps Kenneth Turan Coming Back

David Greene talks with Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan about some of the movies at this year's Cannes Film Festival in France. They include a standout from American director Alexander Payne called Nebraska. Turan first covered the movie festival 42 years ago.
NPR

In Raw Milk Case, Activists See Food Freedom On Trial

Activists say the case against Wisconsin dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger is about raw milk — and much more. His supporters have turned the case into a rallying cry for personal food freedom and the rights of farmers and consumers to enter into private contracts without government intervention.
NPR

IRS Official's Silence Riles House Committee Members

On Wednesday, Lois Lerner, the IRS official overseeing the tax-exempt organizations office, refused to testify during a hearing on Capitol Hill, and was attacked by some Republicans on the House committee. Her brief appearance was the beginning of a five-hour session marked by angry outbursts and allegations of political motives.
NPR

How That 'Nigerian Email Scam' Got Started

You've probably seen it in your inbox before: Someone who claims to have come into a fortune needs your help. You can share in the profits — if you send along a deposit or your bank account number. Boston Globe correspondent Finn Brunton talks about the history of the "Nigerian prince" or "419" scam, which actually got its start long before email.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.