Measuring the Effectiveness of City and State Takeover as a School Reform Strategy

Abstract

n increasing number of states and cities are allowing fortakeovers of school districts,either by a state authority orby the mayor.Twenty-four states allow state takeovers oflocal school districts, permitting state officials to exert authorityover a district in the case of “academic bankruptcy” or woefullylow-performing schools.School district takeovers have occurred in18 states and the District of Columbia.Even in states without takeover laws, school district takeoversare becoming a high-profile issue. In Missouri, for instance, statelawmakers have considered a bill allowing for the immediatetakeover of the Kansas City school district. On the other side ofthe state,mayoral takeover of the school district became an impor-tant campaign issue during the 2001 St.Louis mayoral campaign,when five of the six candidates said “they wouldn’t hesitate to pushfor a takeover if the city’s schools lose their accreditation.” Even-tual winner Francis Slay warned that although he doesn’t want toimplement a takeover,“if partnership and cooperation don’t work,[he] won’t be afraid to take drastic action.”

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