The NY Post article by Alex Taylor and Selim Algar, focuses on Bronxdale HS, where 76% of students graduate but only 4% are ready for college. The school scored an "excellent" rating in the DOE's "rigorous instruction" category. Red flag?
This discrepancy between graduation and college ready data is common in our public schools.
Why is there there such a disconnect between graduation and college ready data?
The reason is that our public schools are not holding our students
to high academic standards and have created a climate where students do
not have to become educated to earn a diploma. Homework is no longer
important nor studying for exams. Social promotions allow students to
move on and graduate through inflated grades, low standards and easy
"credit recovery" options at the high school level Discipline rules have
been watered down so that students are setting the tone and teachers
have no backing from administrators.Our middle schools have the lowest
achievement levels. Absenteeism and cutting of classes is rampant and
usually not a criteria for passing.
Those who run our school system are afraid to hold our students
to high standards in academics and behavior because they know there will
be student resistance. Students have become accustomed to low
expectations and easy work over the years. They know rules and
requirements can be broken with little consequence.
It is time to be honest about the faults of our public schools.
If not, charter schools will continue to grow The Charters that
emphasize and enforce standards and demand an educational climate for
learning will have success.
No amount of money will improve our public schools. Blaming our
teachers for the failure of students to learn is dishonest. Giving "lip
service" to parent involvement while undermining School Leadership Teams
as governing bodies is hypocritical.
The public school system is rotting away and will not be
transformed until we have courageous leadership that is ready to rock
the system.
James Calantjis
Great article. I think anyone can rock the boat. I wonder what would happen if ALL teachers truly stuck together at their school and pushed back against anyone who pressured them to "promote all". We are the change makers. However the threat of retaliation is real...boy oh boy. What to do!?
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