Dr. Crew has taken similar steps in the past, but never on such a grand scale.

Dr. Crew spent much of the day touring five schools.

Dr. Crew asked students what they would do if their results were poor.

Dr. Crew was the last career educator to lead the system.

Dr. Crew asked to be given until this afternoon to make his decision, the parents said.

Dr. Crew has been under pressure to show that he can turn around failing schools.

Dr. Crew said it had worked because "education was central to this whole thing for everybody."

Dr. Crew said the move was in the best interests of the school system.

Dr. Crew said yesterday that there was a clear difference between the two cases.

Dr. Crew has managed to visit 44 schools - about one a week.