March 20, 2010 · www.gothamgazette.com |
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- Judith Kurens on The Long Way Home
- Ellen Balleisen on Raising the Bar
- David King on Lock Down?
- Farah Akbar on Tourist Spot?
- Glenn Pasanen on Framing the Figures
This Month's Article ...

Now that city graduation rates are at an all-time high, will tougher requirements change that? A teacher suggests how to help students finish school with a diploma that means something.
Recent Education Articles from the Gotham Gazette:
Helping All Students Get a Meaningful Diploma
| Charter Schools Enter Uncharted Waters
| Latest Round of School Closings Sparks Heated Opposition
| School Holiday Issue Sends Muslims to City Hall
Links in the News ...
- Protestors Rally Against Bake Sale Ban (NY 1)
- MTA Postpones Student MetroCard Vote (NY 1)
- U.S. Finds City Showed Bias in Ousting Principal of Arabic School (Gotham Gazette - Wonkster)
- Private and Parochial Schools Wants MTA Tax Rebate (Albany Times Union)
- Perkins Fights Against Charter Schools (NY Times)
- NY Surprise Finalist for Federal Education Funds (Associated Press)
Researching Education ...
The city announced last week that graduation rates had hit an all-time high with almost 63 percent of students who should have graduated in 2009 meeting that goal. The city has compiled a number of reports and statistics on graduation and drop out rate. (March 14, 2010)
Public Spending Per-Student at Charter Schools
Per-student public spending on children in charter schools is similar to that spent on public school children, according to this new report by the Independent Budget Office. Per-student general education spending at traditional public schools totaled $16,678, the study found, while children attending charter schools housed within public schools got only $305 less per student. Over two-thirds of charters are located in public school buildings. However, charter schools located in private space received only $13,661 per student, the IBO noted. (February 25, 2010)
Mayor's Management Report
Mayor Michael Bloomberg Friday issued his preliminary Management Report for the current fiscal year, a mass of numbers that purport to measure city government's performance in a number of keys areas. This year's found an increase in homelessness, a rise in the number of people seeking welfare and food stamps, an increase in the amount of time it takes to fill a pothole and a rise in average class size, as well as cleaner streets and a decrease in school crime. (February 16, 2010)
Bias-Based Bullying
An audit of bullying incidents that took place in New York's public schools during the 2008-2009 school year shows that 4.7 percent of those incidents were bias based. There were 6,207 bias-based incidents out of 130,837 disciplinary incidents. The audit will be used as a baseline number in an effort to reduce the number of bias-based bullying incidents. According to the report 55 percent of the incidents were based on gender, 21 percent on race, and 13 percent were based on sexual preference or gender identity. (January 31, 2010)
Comparing Schools for Closure
A report from the Independent Budget Office that compares schools slated for closure to those staying open found 12 of the 15 high schools set to shutter were in the lowest decile for overall performance. All middle schools and kindergarten through 8th grade schools slated for closure were in the lowest category for general performance. High schools slated for closure also had higher rates of low-income students, students in temporary housing and high need students. The report was done at the request of Councilmember Robert Jackson, the chair of the Education Committee. (January 26, 2010)
As high-priced housing squeezes out jobs, businesses push a plan to stake out their own space.
DonorsChoose
A new nonprofit organization whose mission is to "connect those on education's front lines directly with those who give to good causes." It begins with a teacher who wants to provide his or her students with an activity that school funds do not cover. Teachers' project proposals are vetted by DonorsChoose staff and volunteers who verify the teacher's identity, confirm the existence of requested materials, negotiate discounts, attach a cost to the proposal and, finally, review the proposed project. Approved proposals are posted on the groupÍs web site, where civic-minded individuals can browse teachers' submissions. A donor can make a tax-deductible contribution that fully or partially funds a chosen proposal.
National Center for Education Statistics
Comparing schools in different areas around the country is difficult, but this center can help. Download "The Condition of Education, 2001" for performance trends, educational attainment data, and stats on school quality around the United States. If you're a believer in standardized tests, check out the Nation's Report Card at the National Assessment of Educational Progress web site.
The education of immigrant children in New York City, a round-up
Nearly one third of the total student population in New York City schools is made up of immigrants, and the proportion is rising steadily. This digest presents an overview of all the factors that influence the education of immigrant children, concentrating on the students' needs, aspirations, and attainment, and on the public policies directed at them.
NY State Department of Education
Lots of info here about state policies that now drive city reform efforts -- learning standards, assessment requirements and results, universal pre-K, charter schools, registration review and more. The Office of NYC School and Community Services page posts city-specific info. Also available: curriculum resource guides to help teachers and families ensure class work is aligned with state learning standards.
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