Council of the Great City Schools

Congratulations to Michael Casserly on being named the 2026 recipient of the Dr. Constance E. Clayton Urban Education Award from Temple University.

As Philadelphia’s first African American and female superintendent, Dr. Constance E. Clayton was a trailblazer who transformed urban education through her leadership and vision.

Guided in part by her mentorship, Dr. Casserly has carried that legacy forward. His leadership has helped shape some of the most impactful legislative actions and best practices in urban public education today, making him truly deserving of this award.

We are excited to announce Dr. Michael D. Casserly as the 2026 recipient of the Dr. Constance E. Clayton Urban Education Leadership Award.

Dr. Casserly embodies the legacy of Dr. Constance E. Clayton through his commitment to educational excellence, leadership and impact in urban communities.

A nationally respected leader in urban education, Dr. Casserly has spent nearly five decades advancing equity, accountability and innovation across the nation’s largest school systems. As executive director of the Council of the Great City Schools from 1992 to 2021, he led transformative initiatives, including the Trial Urban District Assessment, and helped secure more than $1 billion annually in federal support for urban schools. A protégé of Dr. Constance Clayton, he continues to mentor future leaders and champion improved outcomes for urban students nationwide.

Celebrate with us at the Constance E. Clayton Reception and Fundraiser!

We invite you to join us for an evening of recognition, reflection and celebration as we honor Dr. Casserly’s achievements and support the next generation of urban education leaders, represented by scholarship recipient Anipsy Urena.

✨Saturday, April 18, 2026
✨5:30-7:30 p.m.
✨Morgan Hall 27 (1601 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19122)

This ticketed event requires a $50 registration fee per person. We hope to see you there!

Learn more: https://ow.ly/1Uev50YFSlR

This week, the Council celebrates National Assistant Principals Week! Their work makes an impact in all CGCS member districts on students, staff, families, and the school communities across the country!

🚨 Calling All Baltimore City Public Schools Students! 🚨

Applications are now open for the Council’s $10,000 Dr. Michael Casserly Legacy Scholarship for Educational Courage and Justice.

This scholarship will be awarded to one outstanding 2026 graduate of Baltimore City Public Schools who plans to enroll in a two- or four-year college in fall 2026.

📅 Deadline: Friday, April 17, 2026

🖥️ Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/mr2nhrvs

Now in its sixth year and sponsored by Curriculum Associates, this scholarship is part of the Dr. Michael Casserly Legacy Award for Educational Courage and Justice, which honors individuals who demonstrate courage and commitment to equity in K–12 urban education. The scholarship is named after the Council’s former executive director.

👏 This year’s award recipient, Dr. Peggy Carr, made history as the first woman and first Black woman to lead the National Center for Education Statistics, continuing a legacy of advancing educational excellence and justice.

If you know a deserving senior attending Baltimore City Public Schools headed to college in the fall, spread the word!!!

Congratulations to Dr. Peggy Carr on being named the 2026 recipient of the Dr. Michael Casserly Legacy Award for Educational Courage and Justice, sponsored by Curriculum Associates. The award was presented at the Council’s recent Legislative/Policy Conference.

From leading the National Center for Education Statistics to advancing the Nation’s Report Card, Dr. Carr has championed data-driven insights that shed light on the academic progress the nation’s students have made and the work that remains to be done.

Dr. Carr’s leadership, integrity, and hard work have transformed the nation's understanding of student achievement, and educators owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude for her commitment to honest data and rigorous research. A truly well-deserved honor.

Read the press release: https://tinyurl.com/ywuvt8ek

Congratulations to Michael B. Jordan on winning Best Actor at the Academy Awards for Sinners. A former student of Newark Board of Education, Jordan’s journey from the classroom to Hollywood’s biggest stage is a powerful reminder to students everywhere that their dreams are possible.

His success also reflects the talent, resilience, and potential that exists in urban public schools across the country.

Great conversation on Monday at during the session “Urban Superintendents on Leading, Lasting & Learning,” moderated by Council Executive Director Raymond Hart.

Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Gabriella Duran-Blakey, Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Aleesia Johnson, and Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León shared powerful insights on what it takes to lead large urban school systems.

The discussion highlighted key strategies for superintendents to remain effective and successful in their roles, while also staying grounded amid the high-pressure responsibility of serving the nation’s urban schoolchildren. Their perspectives on leadership, longevity, and purpose in urban education were both thoughtful and inspiring.

📢 Scholarship Opportunity for Urban Students Pursuing STEM!

To raise awareness about the importance of having graduates in math and science, especially among underserved populations, the Council of the Great City Schools is partnering with the Peters Pharis Foundation to offer four $10,000 scholarships to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The CGCS–Peters Pharis Foundation Scholarships are open to high school seniors graduating in 2026 from member districts of the Council of the Great City Schools who plan to enroll full-time at a four-year college or university and major in a STEM field.

🔹 Four scholarships available
🔹 $10,000 each
🔹 Two scholarships for boys and two for girls
🔹 Application deadline: April 13, 2026

Winners will be announced in June 2026.

If you know a student who may be interested, please share this opportunity!
Learn more and apply: https://www.cgcs.org/about-cgcs/awards-and-scholarships/math-and-science-scholarship

📍 We’re headed back to Austin!

The Council of the Great City Schools is excited to return to SXSW EDU 2026, and we’re bringing an important conversation to the stage.

🎤 Executive Director Ray Hart will moderate a powerful panel of urban superintendents, featuring:
• Aleesia Johnson, Ed.D., Superintendent, Indianapolis Public Schools
• Gabriella Duran-Blakey, Ed.D., Superintendent, Albuquerque Public Schools
• Roger León, Superintendent, Newark Public Schools

📚 Session: Urban Superintendents on Leading, Lasting, & Learning
📅 March 9, 2026
⏰ 4:00–4:45 PM
📍 Hilton Austin Downtown | Rooms 400–402

Join them for an engaging discussion on the challenges of leading large school systems and effective strategies for maintaining strong, stable leadership.

🔗 Learn more and add the session to your schedule: https://schedule.sxswedu.com/events/PP1161469

See you in Austin! ✨
hashtag , hashtag

The Council of the Great City Schools joins the nation in mourning the passing of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering champion for civil rights and educational opportunities for all children.

For decades, Rev. Jackson was a passionate advocate for urban public education. He understood that strong public schools are the foundation of strong communities and a just society. Through his powerful voice, moral leadership, and unwavering commitment, he highlighted inequities in educational access and opportunity and challenged the nation to fulfill its promise of equal education for every child, regardless of race, background, or zip code.

The Council of the Great City Schools honors Rev. Jesse Jackson’s extraordinary life and lasting contributions. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all those whose lives he touched. His unwavering commitment to civil rights and educational opportunity left a lasting mark on the nation and will continue to inspire our work.

STATEMENT: Over the past few weeks, children and families in Minneapolis and St. Paul have experienced sustained disruption due to intensified federal immigration enforcement and related actions in urban communities. These activities have had a direct and harmful impact on children—many of whom have been afraid to leave their homes, attend school, access meals, or seek essential services. School leaders and educators have reported increased absenteeism, heightened anxiety among students, and growing food and housing insecurity for families who were already struggling with significant challenges.

The Council of the Great City Schools calls on federal leaders—including the Trump Administration, Congress, and the courts—to immediately halt actions that endanger children, disrupt schooling, and erode trust in public institutions.

Read full statement here:

Statement on the Recent Federal Immigration Enforcement Activity in Urban Communities by Ray Hart, Executive Director Council of the Great City Schools - Council of the Great City Schools Statement on the Recent Federal Immigration Enforcement Activity in Urban Communities by Ray Hart, Executive Director Council of the Great City Schools - Council of the Great City Schools