New academic chief in Detroit gets to work

From The Detroit Free Press: The new academic chief of Detroit Public Schools is hitting the ground running. Barbara Byrd-Bennett says her priorities include a thorough review of the district's academic programs to determine what's working and what isn't. Byrd says she wants to ensure students, teachers and principals have the resources to succeed.

EARLIER....From The Detroit Free Press: Barbara Byrd-Bennett, an educator who has worked in urban school systems across the country, has been hired to oversee a complete review of academics of Detroit Public Schools. Byrd-Bennett will serve as the district's chief academic and accountability auditor, the former superintendent in Cleveland, was named 2001 Urban Superintendent of the Year by the Council of the Great City Schools. She is a former superintendent for a turnaround district in New York City and is leaving a position as executive officer for New Leaders for New Schools in Washington, D.C.