Crucible of Change in Memphis as State Takes On Failing Schools

[elleng]

1. 'Outside the school, signs celebrate rising scores on interim tests

the students took in August and January. “Second and 3rd grade Prepsters scored higher than 98% of the norm!” one banner read.

Many parents say these scores have come at a cost. At one explosive community meeting in December, parents complained that children had suffered repeated bathroom accidents under strict new disciplinary policies. Others fumed that teachers were taking shoes from students caught fiddling with them.'

On the other hand, and another story,

'Mr. Verdino sent an e-mail to prospective parents in which he claimed that Eye-Level’s Korean method, which pairs one teacher up with only a few students, is more effective than Kumon’s Japanese learning strategy, where the student-to-teacher ratio is much higher. Further, he wrote, Kumon requires too much rote memorization, and not enough critical thinking.'

Centers See New Faces Seeking Test Prep.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/nyregion/cram-schools-no-longer-just-an-asian-pursuit.html?pagewanted=1