Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. 14.5 lin. ft.

Summary

1. The collection documents Alton Rison's administration at Junior High School 117 and the methods he used to improve teaching methods and increase accountability of student achievement levels in this inner city school in Brooklyn, New York in the 1970's-1980's.

Donor/Sponsor

1. Schomburg NEH Automated Access to Special Collections Project.

Subject

1. African Americans > Education > New York (State) > New York
2. Educators > New York (State) > New York
3. Teachers > Training of > New York (State) > New York
4. Junior High School 117 (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
5. African American school principals > New York (State) > New York
6. Rison, Alton Douglas, 1930-

Call number

1. Sc MG 409

Note

1. Posters transferred to the Art and Artifacts Division.

Access (note)

1. restricted.

Source (note)

1. Rison, Alton D.

Biography (note)

1. Alton Rison was principal of Junior High School 117 in Brooklyn, New York from 1971 to 1985 where he implemented a series of modern corporate management methods with the goal of changing "school chaos to achievement."

Processing action (note)

1. Accessioned
2. Cataloged

Author

1. Rison, Alton Douglas, 1930-

Title

1. Alton Douglas Rison papers and additions, 1971-1987.

Access

1. Student discipline reports, grievances and "Principal's Opinions of Teacher's Performance" restricted.

Biography

1. Alton Rison was principal of Junior High School 117 in Brooklyn, New York from 1971 to 1985 where he implemented a series of modern corporate management methods with the goal of changing "school chaos to achievement." Rison was born in Brooklyn and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1953 from Huston-Tillotson College in Austin, Texas, and his Master of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Texas in 1958. He served in the United States Army as a psychiatric social worker and neuropsychiatric technician.
2. Rison's changes in the school system included requiring teacher accountability through a variety of methods such as classroom inspections and statistics on projected and actual student pass/fail rate and the use of television coverage. He also established a think tank of teachers to create projects for all departments as well as the entire school, a "report card for staff accountability," classroom ratings, and encouraged parents to speak with teachers. Approximately forty schools in inner city areas adopted his method of teaching and administration. Although Rison's methods were controversial, during his tenure, the school rose markedly in academic achievement and student involvement.

Connect to:

1. Finding Aid

Research call number

1. Sc MG 409