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Introduces Nikole
Nikole is introduced as an expert in education and a journalist. She raises the issue of achievement gaps in schools. -
Integration
The biggest achievement gap closer is integrating schools racially -
Michael Brown
Nikole shares the story of Michael Brown's mother to emotionally emphasize the academic struggle and disadvantage of african americans. -
Normandy Schools
Nikole shares about how schools in Normandy MS have open enrollment across school districts. She share narratives about students who have transferred out and how badly the schools are failing. Once students could transfer out, nearly a quarter of the school district left. The other school district's parents and students had lots of racist attitudes toward the students they were receiving but the school district employees welcomed students. -
State Takeover
The state of Missouri took over the failing Normandy schools. Because of how they restructured the school district transferred students were forced to return. Students and parents had to sue the state to be allowed to return to the higher performing schools. -
Normandy's "Turn Around"
After the state fired and replaced all the teachers at Normandy the bars were lowered substantially. AP classes were taught at the middle school level and higher performing school districts did not have lower scores as a result of their transfers.