Raising the Bars Without Supports Could Lead to Our Children Behind Bars
New York City parents, elected officials, and education advocates gathered today to demand that the state Board of Regents vote down a special waiver for school districts which would allow cities and towns across New York to deny thousands of struggling students necessary assistance. Similar events were also held in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse.
A more accurate calibration of the state’s standardized tests this summer resulted in a huge drop in math and reading scores statewide – more than 25 points for each exam in New York City – shocking parents and revealing more than 100,000 additional children who are not on track for college.
Under a New York State Education Department regulation, all children testing below standard must be offered additional services. The Board of Regents, however, will vote on the 18th to allow school districts to opt out of helping students who would have passed the state exams under the old, flawed scoring system, but are now testing below standard.
Noting that children who fail out of school are three times more likely to end up in prison, protesters marched
