Council of the Great City Schools

The College Board CEO David Coleman has written a review of the Council’s Strategic Advisor Michael Casserly’s book, The Enduring Promise of America’s Great City Schools. “The book injects a welcome dose of optimism into the debate over education, reminding us that schools get better when leaders stay focused,” writes Coleman. “That optimism is grounded in careful analysis of both student performance and student characteristics. Large urban school districts serve a student body that is more diverse, lower-income, more likely to be learning English as a second language. Any fair reading of performance data, Casserly argues, must account for those underlying realities.” Coleman notes that Casserly wants policymakers to focus on big-picture student performance; invest in teacher development; use assessments to drive learning; and avoid any temptation to soften standards in the wake of the pandemic. None of that is simple, and no single approach can solve for the disadvantages that many students face long before they walk through the schoolhouse door. “But above all, The Enduring Promise is a ringing call against complacency, and that progress is possible because we’ve seen it happen,” stresses Coleman.  “Mike, himself an extraordinary leader, calls on all of us to lead on the path he has blazed.” Read the review here: https://lnkd.in/gm-PbSJQ And purchase the book at: https://lnkd.in/gbRYRkf3

Here’s the recap of the 2025 CGCS Fall Conference in Philadelphia! It was a week of meaningful sessions, inspiring speakers, and celebrating the great work happening in urban schools. Thank you to The School District of Philadelphia for hosting us, and thanks to everyone who joined us — see you next year in Boston!

The next Student Outcomes Focused Governance SOFG Cohorts begin in February! Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/e5_u-EEK The three 2026 Cohorts available through the Council of the Great City Schools are: IMPLEMENTING SOFG BOARD - For time and date commitments and cohort expectations, see Draft 2026 Syllabus: https://lnkd.in/eSPvARYX IMPLEMENTING SOFG STAFF - For time and date commitments and cohort expectations, see Draft 2026 Syllabus: https://lnkd.in/eM2J8KAT ADVANCED GOVERNANCE & COACHING - For time and date commitments and cohort expectations, see Draft 2026 Syllabus: https://lnkd.in/eag4Zb_Y Please read the information provided above thoroughly to ensure understanding and check against your calendar for known commitments before applying. If you have questions before applying, please reach out to ajcrabill@cgcs.org or celsbernd@cgcs.org for clarification. The application will be open through 12/31/2025. Priority will be given to applications received by 11/1/2025 Apply Now!

Today, the Council’s Executive Director released a statement condemning actions to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.   Despite claims from the Secretary of Education that the Administration is “reducing and reforming the federal education bureaucracy,” scattering operations across multiple agencies will only add to the bureaucracy and red tape that state and local leaders must navigate to access essential federal support and protections for their students.   A strong Department of Education remains essential to protecting vulnerable students and ensuring that low-income students, students with disabilities, English learners, and homeless students receive the resources and safeguards they need to thrive. This work demands our nation’s focus and prioritization. Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eT8sTU3J

 Congratulations to Ann Loorz, Executive Director of Purchasing for Fresno Unified School District and Dana Greer, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer for the Los Angeles Unified School District. They were the recipients of the Arthur Hanby Procurement Leadership Legacy Award 2025, sponsored by E&I Cooperative Services. The award was presented at the Council’s recent Chief Financial Officer and Directors of Procurement, Risk Management, and Internal Audit Conference in Greensboro, NC.

Congratulations to the 11 educators selected to participate in the fourth cohort of the Michael Casserly Urban Executive Leadership Institute for Superintendents!!! Named after the Council’s longtime former executive director, this program is designed to help current and aspiring superintendents develop the skills they need to successfully lead a large urban school system. Cohort participants will engage in sessions covering topics such as school board relations, academic performance, media relations, operations, finances, and labor relations. “We are honored to welcome the newest cohort of the Michael Casserly Urban Executive Leadership Institute for Superintendents,” said Council Executive Director Ray Hart. “This will be a transformational experience that will equip them with the critical skills, training, and supportive network needed to help them succeed in today’s complex urban education environment.” Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/efH6XyMx

City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises has been named the 2026 Maryland Superintendent of the Year by the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland.   This honor recognizes her commitment to educational excellence, community engagement, and unwavering leadership for Baltimore’s students and families. https://lnkd.in/emYTQYrQ

Council Strategic Advisor Michael Casserly wrote an op-ed in El Semanario titled “Urban Public Education: The Centerpiece of Democracy.” He emphasized that public schooling has safeguarded democracy for generations by educating diverse groups, helping to shape national identity and boost the economy. Urban public schools have produced many influential figures and are vital for economic well-being, cultural enrichment, and social mobility. Casserly warned that losing this shared resource could fragment society and weaken democracy. He praised Denver Public Schools under Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero for making significant academic progress, addressing mental health needs, building community trust, and advocating for justice. Data indicate that Denver schools have recovered from pandemic losses in fourth-grade reading and math, showing slight improvements in eighth-grade reading. These gains mirror the progress being made in many other major city school systems across the country, including Philadelphia, Jackson, Detroit, Baltimore, Los Angeles, the District of Columbia, Dallas, and Houston. These improvements suggest that financial support for schools is a sound investment in our own future as a country. Read the op-ed at: https://lnkd.in/g6aGqDQp

More from #CGCS2025 - Jon Wren at Metro Nashville Public Schools shared how they’re building stronger cultural bridges in the community through Dual Language Immersion. Expanding these programs at neighborhood schools is giving families more high-quality choices close to home and more reasons to choose public schools. A great reminder that strong programs build strong enrollment. #CGCS2025 #PublicEducation #Enrollment #DualLanguage #FamilyEngagement #K12 #EnrollWise