Candidates See Cincinnati as Model for New York Schools.

In search of a cure for ailing schools, educators and politicians from around the world have descended on this city’s poorest neighborhoods, hearing of a renaissance.

They are told stories of schools that escaped years of dysfunction by becoming “community learning centers,” replete with dental clinics, mental health therapists and mentors from local banks and churches. They hear of sparkling new libraries, over-the-moon teachers and too many volunteers to count.

Among the many visitors have been several candidates for mayor of New York City, who walked away so impressed that they have made replicating Cincinnati’s model a centerpiece of their campaigns.

“It makes so much sense,” Christine C. Quinn, the City Council speaker, said.

“Endless potential,” Bill de Blasio, the city’s public advocate, said.

Even before New York reported a drastic drop in reading and math scores last week on new exams aligned with tougher standards known as Common Core, the candidates were promoting the Cincinnati model on the campaign trail.

But what has gone largely unsaid is that many of Cincinnati’s community schools are still in dire academic straits, according to an analysis by The New York Times, despite millions of dollars in investment and years of reform efforts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/12/nyregion/candidates-see-cincinnati-as-model-for-new-york-schools.html?hp