What Will Happen to the Public Schools in Rochester, N.Y.?
The Mayor of Rochester, Lovely Warren, has called upon the New York State Education Department and the Board of Regents to take over the city’s public schools, oust the elected board, and appoint a different board of its choosing. She claims that Commissioner MaryEllen Elia has a plan, but apparently this is not the case. To say this is incoherent is an understatement. The state has not expressed a desire to take control of Rochester city schools. Mayor Warren apparently has decided to throw them under the bus, abandon local control, and let the state take responsibility.
Here is another point of view, from journalist Rachel Barnhardt. She explains that the negative and misinformed attitudes of public officials guarantee that the children will not get the support they need to succeed in school.
She writes:
We don’t blame the mayor for poverty, so why do we blame the school board?
The Rochester City School District is the worst in the state. It’s also the district with the highest concentration of children who live in poverty. The research is clear: poverty impacts educational outcomes.
Mayor Lovely Warren says poverty is no excuse. Poor children can learn. Black children can learn. We must do CONTINUE READING: What Will Happen to the Public Schools in Rochester, N.Y.? | Diane Ravitch's blog