Skip to main content Part of complete coverage on  Cleveland
tries to turn around troubled school system  By Sally Holland,
CNN producer Biology teacher Rosalie Spano helps student Sabrina
Ward at Cleveland's Glenville High School.   • Cleveland is
working to transform its failing public schools   • The district
has closed several schools and laid off hundreds of teachers   •
Academic statistics aren't in, but school leaders say there's
less violence on campuses  Cleveland (CNN) -- Cleveland's public
schools mirror many of the problems of inner city life: gang
activity, drug infestation, poverty, low academic achievement
and a dismal graduation rate.  Within the past year, the school
system has undergone a comprehensive and sometimes harsh
reorganization in hopes of changing that reality.  "Our 54%
graduation rate was the major catalyst," said Renee Cavor, chief
of transformation for the Cleveland Metropolitan School
District.  The school system closed 16 schools in 2010, and
there are more changes to come. T