Word: clark
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...other hand, many people, both educators and laymen, have rushed to defend Clark. They emphasize that his tough methods are justified by the tough problems he faces. "You cannot use a democratic and collaborative style when crisis is rampant and disorder reigns," insists Kenneth Tewel, a former New York high school principal who now teaches school administration at Queens College. "You need an autocrat to bring things under control." Raymond Gerlik, principal of DeWitt C. Cregier Vocational High in Chicago, thinks Clark did what he had to do. "I sympathize with the guy," he says. "I don't have...
...Clark's way of sparing no rod nor spoiling any child has touched many other hearts. Supportive letters have poured into his office. A professor's wife from Erie, Pa., tells Clark his philosophy and style are just right; a mother of two from Queens, N.Y., approves of his tough line; and a senior citizen from Olympia, Wash., writes simply, "I wish we had a few more like you." Many of the letters contain money -- in amounts from $2 to $100 -- for Clark's defense fund. This past week brought some big bucks. Jack Berdy, chairman...
Clearly, discussions of Clark's approach to taming the blackboard jungle run high with emotion. Cooler-headed critics -- and fans -- suggest that the best ( method of evaluating what he or any other educator has done is to look at the achievements of his students. In Clark's case the record is mixed. No question that he cleaned up the graffiti, kicked out the pushers, restored order. But academic triumphs have been more elusive. While math scores are up 6% during Clark's reign, reading scores have barely budged: they remain in the bottom third of the nation's high school...
...managed to become islands of excellence. They did so primarily by establishing high expectations and by getting across the conviction that their kids can and will meet those expectations. No less vital to their success, in almost every case, has been a bold, enduring principal -- if not a Joe Clark, then a different kind of strong personality with his or her own talents as manager and leader. The best of these leaders are able to maintain or restore order without abandoning the students who are in trouble. They approach their staffs, students, parents and communities with a cooperative rather than...
...urban areas remain economically, socially and civically unprepared," he says. Public education is now on trial in America, and many educators feel that the decade ahead may be the last real chance for the nation's schools. That is, without doubt, the most urgent lesson that Principal Joe Clark can teach...