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The Times has come out with a story on school “reform”. I admit I haven’t finished reading this multi-page piece, but so far, a few things have jumped out at me. Some odd things within:
New York Times on former Chancellor Joel Klein: When Klein started, for instance, less than 50 percent of New York’s incoming high-school freshmen were graduating in four years. That number is now 63 percent.
The explanation for this is pretty simple: under Klein, the city’s high schools were encouraged to practice grade inflation, and to rubber-stamp diplomas. But there is no mention of this in the article. Do you imagine that the New York Times has no idea of this widespread practice that most teachers in the system bemoan loudly and frequently? Guess again.
On “innovation”: Individual schools … were expected to earn good grades on their report cards from the city — another Klein innovation — or risk closure.
So now, schools that expel troubled kids (or never accept them at all) will exhibit “improved” student learning, and earn better grades on their city report cards. I student-taught in a school that took any child. And even if they were sent to juvy, the school would really work to get that kid back in the school after their time was served. That school is being closed due to Klein’s “innovations”, while schools that have expelled many are painted as “success” stories. Please.
On “bold policies”: Klein’s successor, Cathleen Black, made it clear that she planned to continue the bold policies that he started implementing after his appointment by Mayor Bloomberg in 2002.
Why does the Times neglect to mention that Cathie Black had a 17% approval rating before she resigned? I mean 17%?? They believe this is not relevant information?
Well, hopefully, the Times will address some of these things later in the piece, but from their previous ridiculously biased education “reporting”, I won’t be holding my breath. (I’ll probably continue reading and commenting in later posts.)
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