The New Joe Clark?

I'd like to see Joanne Jacobs' (and the other edu-bloggers) opinion on this story about a guywho went from being a discipline problem with an absentee father and crackhead mother to principal in a Philly school. It looks like he has long way to go...

The school's uniform policy - khaki pants, plaid skirts, collared shirts - suddenly is being enforced. "Tuck your shirt in," Wilson repeats over and again. Tucking is a major project when shirts hang to the knees, and most teens are in no hurry to comply. He waits them out.

"This school is messed up," said Chinee Henry, 14, a ninth grader. "We don't have what white kids have. Debate team, swim club - none of that here. We can't wear what we want. We always have to have our shirt tucked in. What is that?"

Wilson would say it's a start.

But he's getting some support from his teachers.

Other veteran teachers have warmed to the idea of having the equivalent of their worst student return to run the place.

"He's old beyond his years," said Twyla Simpkins, an English teacher and a Chester High grad. "Tough love is a component he's able to bring in. Our kids are needy in that area."

UPDATE

Try bugmenot to get past the registration.

Comments

[EdWonk]

Ok! :)