New York City puts focus on improving middle schools

From The New York Times: New York City Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott has announced plans to open 50 new middle schools in the next two years, many in the city’s poorest neighborhoods. The city also will apply for about $30 million in federal money to replace teachers and leadership, while keeping students in place, at five struggling schools for each of the next two years. It was unclear how many of the 50 new schools would be charter schools. Walcott's plan to improve middle school performance calls largely for using techniques borrowed from the city’s successful charters, including emphases on discipline and routines and on preparing all students for college.