Meet the teacher

New Secretary of Education Arne Duncan left a legacy of innovation, choice and accountability in Chicago. But can those pragmatic values help him shepherd Washington through the ideological muddle surrounding the nation's school systems? | Mark Bergin

Associated Press/Photo by Charles Rex Arbogast

CHICAGO—Inside the posh teacher's lounge of the Ariel Community Academy on Chicago's South Side, the dysfunction of a troubled urban school system seems far removed. Here the aesthetic screams excellence and order, what with stylish furniture, recessed lighting, and stainless steel appliances.

But a news report flickering across a large flat-screen TV invades that serenity with a brutal reality: "For the 28th time this school year, classmates are remembering a Chicago Public Schools student who was killed by violence."

A teacher and a facilities manager watch the broadcast in quiet disbelief, both exhaling sighs of sadness. If only the peace-filled culture at Ariel could extend influence beyond its 440 students to the more than 400,000 K-12 students who populate the city's 655 public schools. If only those in power could export broadly the sanity and discipline of this little institution.

ACCESS THIS ARTICLE IMMEDIATELY AND RECEIVE ONE MONTH OF ONLINE ACCESS AND TWO ISSUES OF WORLD'S PRINT EDITION—ALL FOR JUST $5. SEE THE NEW SUBSCRIBER BOX BELOW.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY A PRINT OR ONLINE-ONLY SUBSCRIBER, PLEASE LOG IN BELOW.

The complete article is ~2354 words long

Current Subscriber

Magazine
Subscriber

Online-Only
Subscriber

Click here for other subscription options that also will enable you to access this article.

New Subscriber

Secure form

Receive instant access to this article and one-month access to WORLD's subscriber-only online content — plus, enjoy 2 issues of WORLD's print edition — all for just $5*.

Want a different type of subscription? Click the following links for Online-Only Subscription options or Print Subscription options (which include online subscription access).

Payment Information

Name	State	Card Type

Address	Zip	Card Number

City	Email	Expiration Date
		/
	Phone Number

Offer Terms

Subscribers Advantage Automatic Renewal Program You authorize WORLD Magazine to charge your credit/debit card at the price listed above and in time to renew your subscription to WORLD Magazine, without interruption, before the start of the first 6-month term (for $34.95) and then thereafter at 6-month terms at the regular rate then in effect unless you tell us to stop. You may cancel at any time during your subscription and receive a full refund on all unmailed issues. If your credit/debit card cannot be charged, we will bill you directly instead.

*Offer good in the U.S. only for new subscribers.
I agree to the terms above

Outside the US, click here.
Renewing subscribers, click here.
Gift subscriptions, click here.

NEED HELP? Call 800-951-6397, Monday-Friday (except holidays), 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, or send email to customerservice@worldmag.com.

Copyright © 2012 God's World Publications
All rights reserved
Articles may not be reproduced without permission
April 11, 2009, Vol. 24, No. 7

Ready or not, here we go Mar. 28, 2009 View WORLD E-zine	Wealth and poverty Mar. 14, 2009 View WORLD E-zine	New breed of homeless Feb. 28, 2009 View WORLD E-zine
The Obama era Feb. 14, 2009 View WORLD E-zine	Schock factor Jan. 31, 2009 View WORLD E-zine	Millions cut down Jan. 17, 2009 View WORLD E-zine