Former SRC Commissioner to head academics in Milwaukee
by Helen Gym on Jun 01 2010
Heidi Ramirez, the former School Reform Commissioner who was highly regarded for her commitment to accountability and public engagement during her tenure, is leaving Philadelphia to serve as Chief Academic Officer for the Milwaukee Public Schools.
Ramirez was praised by Governor Edward Rendell as “the most qualified” person on the SRC when he appointed her to the position in 2008. During her tenure she focused heavily on teaching and learning goals for classrooms, fiscal and academic accountability, and public engagement. Her efforts at accountability, in particular asking questions during SRC hearings, resulted in frequent backlashes from Superintendent Arlene Ackerman. Ramirezresigned in August 2009.
Ramirez said Milwaukee was a “huge” and “appealing” opportunity. She cited the District’s racial and ethnic diversity and its multiple experiments in school reform as an important opportunity for her to focus on classroom learning and supports for
