Analysis Of Katherine Boo's 'Expectations'

The city of Denver and the challenges confronting its elected leaders, are no different than any other large city, one of the most problematic of which, includes enhancing the quality of public schools for ethnic minority students from lower socio-economic neighborhoods. Katherine Boo’s, “Expectations”, provides a narrative centered on Superintendent Michael Bennett and the implementation of his ambitious strategy to raise high school graduation standards throughout the Denver public school system. Bennett’s plan to achieve this lofty goal illustrates the “four tides,” or philosophies, of administrative reform: liberation management by allowing students from underperforming schools to attend any high quality public school of their choice; (2) a war on waste through the closure of Manual High School; (3) a watchful eye with computer tracking to ensure student accountability; and (4) scientific management with increased and meticulous academic standards.

Instead of a one day counseling seminar, the establishment of a one-stop-shop “resources center” with computers, provided a means to establish student connections, similar to the summer internship afforded to Bennet’s mentee. While not all students availed themselves of these academic assets, student change agents, such as Julissa, became easily identifiable, and evolved into strategic advantages to institutionalize the reform message. These advantages exposed the increased need for specialized course curriculum to accommodate students in limited socioeconomic circumstances; such as those working full time and teen-age mothers. How these individuals perceive themselves directly affects their decisions, such as if or where they go to school, any policy that deviations from their perception will, more often than not, have adverse