What lessons can be learned from the push to turn around schools in the nation’s third-largest school district? What is the union’s role in the efforts? Are classroom teachers noticing a chance in their school environment or in student achievement?

Moderator: Alexander Russo, blogger, This Week in Education

Panelists:

• Jennifer Husbands, Academy for Urban School Leadership
• Don Fraynd, turnaround officer, Chicago Public Schools
• Jesse Sharkey, vice president, Chicago Teachers Union
• Xian Barrett, Chicago Public Schools teacher and author

Recorded at EWA's March 24, 2012 seminar at the University of Chicago, "School Turnarounds: Are SIG Dollars Making a Difference?"

How does the charter school model factor into efforts to turn around low-achieving campuses? Why haven’t more charter management organizations signed on for school turnarounds? What questions should reporters be asking when faced with conflicting data on charter school performance?

Moderator: Scott Elliott, Indianapolis Star

Panelists: 

• Ursula Wright, interim president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
• Matt Troha, principal of Mastery Charter Schools Thomas Campus, Philadelphia
• Margaret Raymond, director, The Center for Research on Education Outcomes, Stanford University
• Gary Miron, professor, Western Michigan University