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Leasing Rules Eyed After Toxic School's Closure
When a Bronx school shut this summer because of contamination, parents of students who'd attended the site over the past two decades worried about their children's health—and wondered why the problem wasn't detected earlier.
Flat Gains on U.S. Tests Clash with Picture of Progress in NYC
New York school officials claim city students are making consistent gains, even in the face of national scores that suggest little progress over the past two years.
In Public School Reform, What Can Private Money Buy?
Bill Gates has donated more than $5 billion to improve U.S. schools. But he sees little bang for all those bucks. What do other philanthropists—and the school systems who've benefited from them—think they have to show for what's been spent?
New York's School Principals Struggle Quietly Amid Teacher Controversies
The headlines are full of concerns about teacher tenure, teacher pensions, teacher layoffs. What do some of the city's principals have to say about the challenges their schools face?
Pedagogy and Profits: Charter School Bid Raises Questions
One of the 16 proposed charter schools tapped for a final round of consideration has close links to a private company with family ties to a top state education official.
Activists Demand Changes To School Disciplinary Practices
About 100 education activists gathered Tuesday afternoon to rally behind a city bill designed to increase the transparency and accountability of disciplinary practices in New York City schools.
We Won 'Race To The Top' Money. Now What?
One thing that is clear, and of concern to many advocates and educators, is that the money isn’t going to particular school-based programs.
In School, Homeless Kids Face A Different Test
Homeless children struggle with more than reading and math. They're challenged to stay connected to schools as their families search for shelter.
Harlem Program Scrutinized, Obama Initiative Cut
Congress is contemplating a major reduction to President Obama's flagship anti-poverty program, as its model—the Harlem Children's Zone—faces new questions about results.
State Education Test Scores Take Nosedive
Elementary and middle school students statewide scored far worse this year on their annual state math and English exams. For New York City, it was the first year-to-year decline in at least four years.
Public Advocate: DOE Mishandling School Closings And Co-locations
Schools Across State Face New Testing Hurdle
Opponents Mobilize Against New Harlem Charter School
A Different Approach To Sex Education
Viewpoint: The Case For Closing Schools
In documents responding to parent opposition and legal challenges, the city Department of Education says that sometimes even extra support can't save a failing facility.
Appeals Court Blocks School Closings
Upholding a lower court ruling, the judges say the school department failed to document the "ramifications of such school closings."
Taking Attendance In Bloomberg Bid To Cut Truancy
The mayor's new task force enlists a battery of city agencies to combat chronic absenteeism. Some parents say they also want a seat at the table.
Some Bad Schools Get Good Grades
Dig Deeper Into The Schools Debate
Have we tested our schools into failure? Neglected kids with disabilities? Forgotten how to teach boys to read? New books ask and answer some pressing questions.
Hard Math: Charter Schools Race For Space
The new charter school law ended months of political acrimony. But it didn't answer the question of where the new schools will find seats.
Education
City Limits investigative reporting covers where policy meets pupils: public schools, charter schools, colleges, and greater opportunities.
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Closing Schools More Poor, Less White - Jarrett Murphy
Schools the Bloomberg administration has targeted for closure have student populations demographically different from the average facility. And many had absorbed an increasing number of struggling students.
Schools Targeted for Closure Serve Kids with Higher Needs - Helen Zelon
Schools on the new DOE closure list serve more low-income, special ed and English-learning students than the system as a whole. Is the city simply fighting for poor kids to get the best, or applying unfair expectations in a way that disrupts students' lives?
School Progress Reports Suggest Grad Rate Trouble Ahead - Helen Zelon
The DOE's report cards are out for high schools. Amid higher standards, fewer schools notched the highest grades. With graduation criteria about to tighten, what do the numbers bode for the class of 2012 and beyond?
Cheat Sheet for Parents: Understanding School Progress Reports - Helen Zelon
The grades are out, and so is the list of schools that might close because of them. But what's the difference between an A and a B when the DOE grades its 1,700 schools?
Survey: NYers Would Pay More for Better Schools - Jarrett Murphy
A new survey finds that New Yorkers generally think the city's schools have improved and are willing to pay more in taxes to fund education. But among political priorities, creating jobs edges out schools.
Searching For Stability At Robeson High - City Limits
Watch a video interview about the challenges confronting one Brooklyn High School: A dwindling student population, reduced class offerings and the third principal in about a year.
CONVERSATIONS/OPINONS
Kickball & Other Games Adults Play with Education Reform
The current education reform climate reminds this writer of a 4th grade kickball game: Elites select their favorites, unions fight for the ball—and parents and students wonder when someone will pick them to play.
Report From Lockdown High: Fear Vs. Facts On School Safety
An excerpt from a new book arguing that “punitive, zero tolerance strategies”—from metal detectors to clothing bans—aren't as effective as their popularity suggests.
MULTIMEDIA
Plan to Fix Bilingual Education
Agreement between the New York State Education Department and New York City school system to improve the education of English Language Learners.
IBO Report On School Closures
The IBO compares schools slated for closure with other facilities, and finds the targeted schools post relatively poor performance, but also serve populations that face steeper challenges.
PHOTO SLIDESHOWS
Beyond CityTime
An Investigation of Private Consultants in the Bloomberg Administration
