Dr. Arlene Ackerman, (nee Randle) the former superintendent of Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Philadelphia public schools, passed away February 2 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Born in St. Louis and having graduated in the Ritenour High School Class of 1964, Dr. Ackerman received her doctorate in Administration, Planning, & Social Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Urban Superintendents Program. She earned a Master of Arts in Education from Harvard University, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration and Policy from Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Harris-Stowe Teacher’s College.
Dr. Ackerman’s professional life also included experience as classroom teacher at both the elementary and middle school levels; principal at the middle school level; Director, Upward Bound Program for first generation college-bound students; Director, Basic Skills Academy for at-risk high school youth; Assistant Superintendent, Special Services; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Academic Achievement; and Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer.
Dr. Ackerman received numerous honors and awards including Apple for the Teacher Award-Iota Lambda Sorority, Distinguished Alumni Award-Harris Stowe Teachers College, and recognition from Harvard University’s Urban Superintendents Program. Ackerman served on The President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities which advises the President and the Secretary of Education on strengthening these institutions. In 2004 she was named Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of Black School Educators. In 2010, she
received the Richard R. Green Award for Urban Superintendent of the Year from the Council of Great City Schools in recognition of her contributions to urban schools and students.
Dr. Ackerman and her team earned praise from President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan for an intervention approach aimed at turning around the District’s struggling schools under the Empowerment, Renaissance and Promise Academy initiatives.
Dr. Ackerman is survived by two sons, Anthony and Matthew Antognoli; a daughter-in-law, Mickie; and four granddaughters, Sarah, Soleil, Marley and Violet, all residents of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She also leaves a sister, Cheryl Randle of Kansas City, Missouri; and three brothers: Ronald Lee Randle of San Clemente, CA; Gary Neil Randle of Washington, D.C.; and physician Dr. Gregory Clayton Randle of St. Louis. The family requests that all donations please be made to the following organizations where funds have been set up in her name:
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital – Donors may give by phone-1-800-873-6983, online at stjude.org/tribute or mail a check to: St. Jude, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105,
Fund Name: Arlene Ackerman Code: 32733066.
American Cancer Society- Donors may give by phone 800-227-2345, online at cancer.org, or send a check to American Cancer Society: PO box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123-1718.
