Cincinnati Public Schools on course to be one of best districts in the country | Opinion

Recent stories of Cincinnati Public Schools’ performance, predictably, emphasize the negative. Yet after meeting with Superintendent Iranetta Wright, I’m energized and optimistic about our schools. Here are the facts.

After decades of losing students to other public and private schools, enrollment has soared and overall student achievement has improved. Those heartening trends began under the leadership of prior superintendents.

Under Ms. Wright’s leadership, the district is dreaming bigger.

The superintendent, who joined the district in spring 2022, unveiled a new strategic plan this month that sets CPS on course to become one of the best school districts in the country. It’s an ambitious goal for an urban district charged with educating every student who applies. Our students and teachers need the community’s enthusiastic support to make the dream a reality.

Wright and her team made sure to include teachers, counselors, administrative staff, union leaders and community members from the start. Together, they identified five strategies for student success:

• Support students

• Equip educators

• Connect the community

• Ignite Innovation

• Optimize Operations

The COVID-19 pandemic left many students behind academically, and even more students suffered from a sense of disconnection and mental health challenges. Wright and the district responded with strategies to foster a sense of belonging and a sense of community.

The district is putting greater emphasis on social-emotional learning, mental health and character development. It’s fostering a culture of respect, learning and achievement.

Cincinnati Public has engaged employees and partners to identify common goals. Doing so breaks down needless division to create a culture of welcoming for students, parents, teachers and everyone who touches CPS.

I’m inspired by Wright’s bold goal to be one of the best school districts in the country by all measures − graduation rates, test scores, workforce readiness and more.

It’s said that everyone wants change until change shows up, and our community is no exception. Executing big changes can be a challenge to a district as large as ours, especially for people used to doing things a different way.

Yet we’re already seeing benefits from the new focus. In 2019, the last time ODE issued school grades, 12 CPS schools received Fs on the state report card. Under the new five-star system, that number of "failing" schools was cut in half, with six receiving 1½ stars. No one is satisfied with a single school receiving low ranks. We’re off to a strong start to lift up the rest.

The on-time rate for buses had plunged to about 80% in the 2022-23 school year. Under Wright’s leadership, on-time rates are up to about 87% this fall, a remarkably fast turnaround.

Cincinnati Public is using data like never before to identify where problems are occurring, where students are soaring and opportunities for growth, offering professional development to front-office leaders, security officers and now individual schools. It’s celebrating improvements and supporting teachers.

Superintendent Wright is shifting discipline toward restorative practices, finding effective alternatives to suspension and expulsion to help students learn from mistakes and to get back on track to learn, graduate and be prepared for work or college. Unlike private and charter schools, CPS is required to enroll every student − a mission it embraces − making restorative practices crucial for serving students who need help.

Ohio’s recent shift to offering universal school vouchers means CPS has to compete for students. Make no mistake: we are. From Walnut Hill High School − ranked the top public high school in Ohio − to the School for Creative and Performing Arts, to neighborhood schools, CPS is focused on being the top choice for families of all income levels and backgrounds.

We can all help our city and ourselves by helping CPS reach its goals. Mentor, volunteer, tutor. See a student walking to school? Cheer her on! Treat students as family by making sure they feel safe and supported.

Superintendent Wright is the first CPS leader to be hired from outside the district in more than 20 years. She’s brought a fresh perspective and set a high bar for our schools. Let’s keep the momentum going.

Gwen L. Robinson retired as president and CEO of Community Action Agency.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: CPS performance improving under superintendent's bold plan