When The Cleveland Plan was implemented in 2012, it brought various education changes, including an increased relationship between the charter school and public school systems. The Cleveland Plan wanted to emphasize excellence in education, regardless of the type of school. The plan has led to an increased third grade reading proficiency, enrollment, attendance, and graduation rates. Though some remain skeptical of charter schools, many cities are embracing innovative ways to improve student’s success, including New Orleans, Denver, and Washington D.C.
In David Osborne’s new book, Reinventing America's Schools: Creating a 21st Century Education System, he shares the stories of these communities to reflect upon the history and future of public education. After years of extensive research, he argues that charter schools provide necessary autonomy, accountability, diversity of school designs, and parental choice than what could be executed in public schools.
Osborne has been a figure in the public sector for decades, including serving as senior advisor to Vice President Gore in 1993, and running the National Performance Review. He is the co-author of six books on public sector reform, including the New York Times bestseller, Reinventing Government. Currently, he is the director of the Progressive Policy Institute’s project on Reinventing America’s Schools.