Central Park East and Its Graduates

What would happen if we gave inner-city students the best education the country has to offer? The results of this bottom-up reform were astounding, and to this day, Central Park East Elementary School (CPE) in East Harlem is known as one of the most academically enriching schools in the United States. David Bensman gives voice to the extraordinary young adults who emerged from poverty as a result of the powerful educational experiences they received at CPE. A rich compilation of stories, this account establishes the power of public schooling and the value of community.

Foreword

vii

Deborah Meier

Acknowledgments

xi

Introduction

1

(1)

History of the Project

2

(5)

Overview of Book

7

(3)

Searching for Meaning in the Survey Data

10

(11)

Did CPE Cream Its Student Body?

10

(6)

Comparing the Graduates

16

(2)

Transition to Secondary School

18

(2)

Conclusion

20

(1)

Individual Pathways to Learning

21

(29)

An Integrated and Thematic Curriculum

23

(7)

Making and Expressing Meaning Through Art

30

(7)

Guiding and Encouraging Students

37

(9)

Opposing Viewpoints

46

(2)

Conclusion

48

(2)

Pathways to Emotional and Social Growth

50

(26)

``Like a Family''

51

(8)

Self-Esteem

59

(6)

Getting Along with People

65

(7)

Conclusion

72

(1)

Note---The Teenage Pregnancy Issue

73

(3)

Racial Dimensions of a Learning Community

76

(16)

Relationships

77

(7)

Cultural Identity

84

(6)

Conclusion

90

(2)

``We Bought the Dream'': The Parent-School Partnership at Central Park East

92

(16)

Dissenters

92

(1)

CPE's Appeal to Parents

93

(5)

Parent Participation in School Activities

98

(3)

CPE's Impact on Parents

101

(2)

Conclusion

103

(5)

``And Then They Will Become Gifted'': CPE Graduates Look to the Future

108

(11)

Lola Johnson

108

(1)

Marla Baker

109

(1)

Stephanie Gonzalez

110

(4)

Jimmy O'Rourke

114

(1)

Valerie Sanchez

115

(1)

Jasmine Stevens

116

(3)

Creating a Learning Community

119

(10)

Graduates Explain the School's Success

120

(1)

Creating Pathways to Learning

121

(2)

Process of Creating a Learning Community

123

(3)

Path to Educational Reform

126

(3)

Afterword, by Alice Seletsky

129

(10)

Appendix A: New York City Elementary Public School Students as a Comparison Group

139

(3)

Appendix B: Alice Seletsky's Reports on Valerie Sanchez

142

(5)

Bibliography

147

(4)

Index

151

(4)

About the Author

155

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Central Park East and Its Graduates

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials