Carl E. Harris

Guest columnist

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

These words from a very wise and respected President, John F. Kennedy are ringing especially true for me now, and in turn, for the 33,000 students, 4,500 staff members and parents and community and business supporters of Durham Public Schools.

Change is generally good. Change is the only constant. And the changes that we have seen in DPS over the last 3½ years have been largely positive. As I leave Durham I am filled with wonderful memories of this community and its citizens.

Those memories, along with the accomplishments of our committed teachers, principals, Central Services professionals and other staff members, are too bountiful to encapsulate here. But I would like to share with you some of what I believe are the highlights during my tenure.

n Student achievement has increased overall. In the last year alone, more than two-thirds of our schools reported increases in overall achievement levels. Four schools earned School of Distinction recognition, the second highest rating a school can earn under the ABCs. A total of 43 of the 48 Durham schools measured under the state accountability model had higher composite scores than the previous year.

n Middle and high school reform efforts we began several years ago are bearing fruit. In 2007-08, only one high school realized High Growth. This past year we had three. Half of our middle schools reported Expected or High Growth. All middle schools reported increases in their overall performance composites.

n We continue to increase the level of academic rigor that we offer our students. There was a 5.4 percent jump in the number of Advanced Placement tests taken during the 2008-09 school year, compared to the previous year. And there has been a 119 percent increase in tests administered over the number taken in 1997, when the district first began measuring AP course and exam participation.

n The dropout rate has fallen below the state average for two consecutive years. We credit small-high-school options and middle and high school reform efforts to improve instruction and better engage students in their academic performance.

n We have opened seven new schools since 2006: Hillside New Tech High School, Southern School of Engineering, W.G. Pearson Magnet Middle School, City of Medicine Academy, Spring Valley Elementary School, the Performance Learning Center and the Holton Career and Resource Center. And Lakewood Middle Montessori School will begin serving sixth-graders next fall and will open in the renovated Lakewood YMCA in fall 2011.

We still have many areas to address, but I believe that DPS definitely is headed in the right direction. With good reason, this community feels better about itself and its schools than it did several years ago.

In addition to our parents, teachers, administrators and other staff members, Durham’s business community is one of the most engaged and supportive that I have ever seen. The Superintendent’s Business Advisory Council has been instrumental in advising me and looking for ways to support our schools. These business leaders are stepping forward to help our teachers and administrators ensure that students are prepared for the work world that they will soon join.

The Rotary Club of Durham has forged a very promising partnership with Neal Middle School to boost reading. The Durham Careers in Construction group has offered a great deal of support to the new Holton Career and Resource Center and Southern High. The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce continues to support our middle schools with a wildly successful Career EXPO and in many other ways. The Durham Regional Association of Realtors donates books and supplies every year. And thousands of business and community volunteers fill our schools each day to tutor and help out in other ways.

Duke University and N.C. Central University have offered invaluable support over the years. Duke’s Partnership Initiative continues to help its partner schools through monetary and in-kind support while NCCU offers programs and volunteers to help support academic achievement.

The DPS Board of Education is by far the most dedicated, positive, cohesive and motivated group of board members with whom I have ever worked. They love Durham, they love DPS students and they want what is best for them and this community.

This community is ripe for many great changes to come. My gratitude is deep, my memories are fond and my thoughts will always be with you.

Carl Harris, superintendent of Durham Public Schools since 2006, leaves the job later this month to be deputy assistant secretary for policy and strategic initiatives in the U.S. Department of Education.