Too many teachers don't have high expectations for students. Many of our students come from the projects and Section 8 housing. Course offerings across high schools create unequal opportunities. Somebody needs to make a decision about the high school program some have block scheduling, some have a nine-period day, some have trimesters. Just tell us what to do so we can have some consistency.
Staff development is unfocused and inadequate, although efforts are under way to improve it.
Not having mandatory staff development is a problem. The people who need it most often don't come. Resources are not distributed in a way that helps all students. Staff isn't allocated on a need basis. Standard A school system uses the results of assessments to improve or end ineffective programs.