Two years ago, Arlene Ackerman left Seattle to take on the challenge of turning around schools in Washington, D.C. Friends and colleagues from her 30-year career in education tried to warn her away from the task. But as Ackerman has settled into her new job, she has remembered John Stanford s sage advice. Start with a vision that anyone can embrace. Articulate a plan for change. And you must not make excuses .
City kids can t afford to wait.
Optimism fuels action, and action fuels progress. The more Americans believe this, the more victories we will have in our urban classrooms.