GothamSchools — daily independent reporting on NYC public schools

Back in November, I sat down to read the American classic “To Kill a Mockingbird” to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Little did I know that I would be reading Harper Lee’s story of a trial in a fictional southern town in the midst of real-life drama swirling around the appointment of Cathie Black as New York City schools chancellor and the proposed shuttering of more schools.

I couldn’t help but draw parallels between the hero of the legendary novel, Atticus Finch, and Black, whose nomination recently cleared legal hurdles posed by parents objecting to her lack of educational credentials.

In ”To Kill a Mockingbird,” Finch has no history with the accused. He has no interaction with the African-American world except through his servant. By defending an accused black rapist, he’s taking on great reputational risk.

Ms. Black has no history with the public education system but faces an even more daunting challenge — the skepticism of parents and teachers unlikely to cheer her on simply for walking into the classroom like Mr. Finch was applauded in the courtroom. And just because a state Supreme Court judge last month ruled in her favor doesn’t mean she’s off the hook with parents and the public. She still has a long way to go toward earning our respect and has a lot to learn about the city’s schools and the policies that have come under attack during former Chancellor Joel Klein’s tenure. (more…)