It was inevitable that the sweeping reorganization plan Baltimore schools chief Andres Alonso presented to the school board last week should have provoked surprise, confusion and a measure of unease among students, teachers and parents. After all, Mr. Alonso might easily have rested on his laurels from last year's gains - dramatically higher test scores, a doubling of the number of alternative schools and half a dozen new combination middle-high schools. Instead, like a military commander intent on exploiting a recent victory, he is pressing to take swift advantage of his success.
Mr. Alonso's fresh assault on education inertia in the city's school system is appropriate and timely. He is proposing to close or reorganize dozens of underperforming schools and transfer their students to successful new schools that are coming on line or growing at a dizzying clip. Closing the failing schools sends the important message that failure is not an option. The challenge he faces is offering enough alternative schools that are working and that kids want to attend. There is tremendous demand for a handful of schools, such as National Academy Foundation High and Digital Harbor High School, which are aiming to expand their enrollments. It's harder for parents and students to make judgments about the quality and appropriateness of other choices of schools.
