Fuller Elementary - Some Sad News

One of the schools that Schools Count Corp has worked with in the CPS system is Fuller Elementary. It was revealed two days ago that Fuller is one of ten elementary schools that is slated to be a 'turnaround.'

It's important to note that 'turnarounds' typically find 100% of the administrative and teaching staff let go while an entire new team comes into the school when a new school year commences. That background is important to understand relative to what is taking place at these ten schools.

Let me say, at the outset, that Fuller has room for improvement. No one knows that better than the new principal, Ms. Carrmilla Young. And that fact alone makes this a sad story.

Sad because I know Ms. Young and what she is all about. She gets to school early in the morning, is often in the office at 6:00 pm, has high standards and cares deeply about the children. By the way, these are but a few of her amazing qualities that she brings to bear.

There are plenty of reasons why children struggle. You can come up with literally dozens and dozens of situations and issues that lead to a school doing poorly. I will tell you this, and some officials in CPS may not, Ms. Young is not the reason for the lack of progress and being named as a turnaround school.

I mentioned that Ms. Young is in her first year as Principal of Fuller. Let me pose a question. Do you think it is feasible and realistic for the two hundred children, in less than one year, to have their academic lives (which have been problematic for years!!) turned around in dramatic manner in less than a year? No chance.

I will look into this situation in greater detail and get back to you with news of Fuller, Ms. Young, and what the 'turnaround' situation looks like going forward.

It's a travesty if Ms. Young loses her job at Fuller!

Dick