Some schools on probation have shown improvement, and they will show more. But probation gives us more tools to help schools. You either view it as a punishment or as a tool to help yourself. Despite the discouragement in schools, the Chicago Association of Principals and Administrators and the Chicago Teachers Union are standing by the board. We are telling our members, 'It might be dreadful, but just hang in there.
Nobody wants to be on probation.
I know I would be devastated. But no matter what had been done, it would not have been fair to someone. I've been in this school system for 38 years, and everything has been tried. We have to stop making excuses. I think this is a sincere attempt to improve schools.