Meet Arlene Ackerman

The woman who shook up San Francisco's schools.

Lisa Snell from the April 2006 issue

(Page 2 of 2)

A new union president came in about three years ago who wanted to get rid of the weighted student formula. There was a resounding no from the majority of the schools because they like making the decisions. For example, we’ve had to make deep cuts for the last three years. In the past those decisions were made in the central office. Many of the schools felt that was inappropriate because the central office is too far away from the needs of the students. Even when it’s been difficult to make hard choices, I’ve heard parents and principals and teachers say that they’d rather make those choices than someone else.

Reason: What do you think is the future of school choice and the weighted student formula in San Francisco?

Ackerman: I’m not really worried about the weighted student formula and the academic planning process because I think people in the schools really appreciate it. As for the student assignment process, we just have to wait and see. The board is very split on whether or not race should be used as one of the guidelines for choice. I think they are going to adjust the diversity index [part of the formula for determining who can attend popular schools], and one of the new factors might be race.

I’m proud of the work I’ve done in San Francisco. This is a great city, and I leave a legacy that I know is going to continue after I am gone.