Sparking Equity

Challenging Stereotypes, Compton Schools Defy the Odds

Advancing Education Success Initiative

Ben Herald, a former reporter at Education Week, set out across America to document what is happening in school districts located in once largely white suburban communities. His book Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America's Suburbs documents his disturbing findings.

When he got to Compton, he found a rare example of a school district in a formerly all white suburb that is offering hope to students of color and their families. Under the leadership of Superintendent Darin Brawley, the district is closing achievement gaps, and boosting graduation rates.

In this podcast, noted author and scholar Pedro Noguera and  veteran journalist Louis  Freedberg interview  Supt. Brawley and author Herald about what sets Compton apart from other similar communities -- and how it is achieving uncommon success with its diverse, low-income student body.


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Brought to you by the Advancing Education Success Initiative -- Coby McDonald, Producer; Louis Freedberg, Executive Producer and Correspondent

People on this episode