http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-851324.mp3
Kansas City, MO – At the beginning of July, John Covington started his work as the new superintendent of the Kansas City Missouri School District. He comes with a track record of boosting student achievement in Pueblo, Colorado and in a small district in Lowndes County, Alabama, which is near where he's from. But in Kansas City, most people agree; Covington has his work cut out for him.
Covington is inheriting a district with complicated and longstanding problems. Only 46% of students graduate from district high schools, and student achievement lags behind other area school districts. The district is working on a "turn-around plan" in order to regain full accreditation, and avoid a state takeover.
Covington has spent his first weeks in Kansas City listening - to parents, teachers, students and other community members. And on Friday, he joined KCUR's Susan Wilson to talk about how he plans to approach the challenge before him.
This story was produced for KC Currents. To listen on your own schedule, subscribe to the KC Currents Podcast.
