Currently, Chicago is the only district where mayoral commitment is highly visible and where political capital is used to improve the system. Further research is needed to better understand how integrated governance can work in other urban districts and to identify the crucial components of the redesigned system that are transferable. Accomplishments and Challenges Functions and Accomplishments Questions to Guide Addressing Needs Challenges Mayoral control facilitates policy coordination and reduces institutional fragmentation. Maintain stability in the top leadership. Hire effective central administration officials who have political knowledge, managerial and negotiation skills, and the ability to articulate a clear educational mission.
Integrated governance improves the financial and management functions of the entire system.
Clarify roles and relationships at each layer. Resolve the tension between central administration and LSCs over the appointment of principals. Determine the impact of the need for principals to act as quasi-politicians in order to be promoted. Consider criteria beyond improvement of test scores when hiring principals in designing effective schools. Establish system-wide standards and accountability.