In Case You Missed It: High-performing schools on the block; conflicting reports on new schools' success

Here on EdVox we’re excited to bring you the latest news about education issues and policies affecting our communities. It can be hard to keep up with all of the events and happenings, so – in case you missed it… Here is a recap of the latest stories in NYC education news, starting with the oldest (Monday, January 23rd):

MONDAY

• Meetings at schools target for “turnaround” by the City began this week: http://gothamschools.org/2012/01/24/closure-meetings-underway-at-schools-slated-for-turnaround/
• The UFT began running ads questioning the mayor’s education record: http://gothamschools.org/2012/01/24/ufts-new-tv-ad-buy-takes-aim-at-bloombergs-schools-record/
• One “A” school and six “B” schools are on the list of 33 turnaround schools set to be closed in June: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/brooklyn-maxwell-high-school-a-progress-city-ax-staff-article-1.1010745

TUESDAY

• In his State of the Union Address, President Obama said all students should be required to stay in school until they’re 18: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/education/obama-wades-into-issue-of-raising-dropout-age.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
• He also praised teachers and said America’s schools should stop “teaching to the test”: http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/01/25/obama-praises-teachers-calls-for-mandatory-attendance/
• Success Charter Schools CEO Eva Moskowitz is planning to open six new schools in 2013: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/eva-moskowitz-seeks-expand-success-academies-chelsea-upper-e-side-article-1.1011459

WEDNESDAY

• An independent report showed that new small high schools founded by the Bloomberg Administration have significantly higher graduation rates and english Regents scores and slightly better math scores than other schools in the system: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/education/new-york-city-students-at-small-public-high-schools-are-more-likely-to-graduate-study-finds.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
• Though the analysis was flawed and the comparison is unfair since the new schools admit fewer high-need students than other schools, according to advocates: http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/01/26/new-study-gives-small-schools-initiative-a-thumbs-up/
• The City and UFT are talking again: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/uft-city-restart-talks-teacher-evaluations-article-1.1011872
• The SUNY committee charged with approving new charter schools determined it could not block a proposal based on a community’s location concerns: http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/education/154862/suny-committee-does-not-block-controversial-williamsburg-charter-school

THURSDAY

• Elected officials and parents protested the City’s move to close the historic Wadleigh school in Harlem at a rally and hearing, arguing the school’s precipitous decline in performance over the last three years can be linked to lack of support from the DOE: http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/01/26/where-was-the-help-wadleigh-supporters-ask-education-official/
• A Gotham Schools report showed that some of the so-called “struggling schools” the Bloomberg Administration had targeted for turnaround actually do a better-than-average job of preparing students for college: http://gothamschools.org/2012/01/26/at-turnaround-schools-wide-range-in-college-readiness-rates/

FRIDAY

• A report by CEJ and NYCC showed that fewer high-needs students were attending the Bloomberg Administration’s new schools, artificially inflating performance and likely increasing percentages of those students at other schools: http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/01/27/on-city-hall-steps-harsh-words-for-bloomberg/
• U.S. Education Secretary Duncan agreed with Mayor Bloomberg’s push for teacher merit pay, but added he thought starting salaries and bonuses should be much higher: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/u-s-schools-chief-trumps-bloomberg-pay-great-teachers-150k-article-1.1013011
• The City backed down somewhat from its threat to fire half of all teachers at 33 struggling schools, saying federal rules allow the DOE to fire fewer teachers by retaining new teachers hired within the last two years: http://gothamschools.org/2012/01/27/city-could-try-to-replace-fewer-teachers-at-33-turnaround-schools/