What happened to Detroit Public Schools?

The academic landscape of the city has undergone tremendous change over the last 30 years. Public schools now face competition from private charter schools and neighboring suburban school districts, putting them under severe financial strain.

The district is now trapped in a cycle of student loss and school closure that, if left unchecked, will result in bankruptcy and the likely dissolution of the school district. This report looks at the complete history of the Detroit Public Schools, and how decisions made five, ten, even 100 years ago are having significant consequences today.