Nothing To Celebrate

From yesterday's NYT:

For the fifth year in a row, New York City students’ on-time graduation rates have increased, showing small but steady gains, rising to 59 percent last year from 46.5 for the class of 2005, according to figures that state and city education officials released on Tuesday.

A couple of thoughts:

1) NYC public schools engage in social promotion. Which means if Johnny can't read, he still is going on to the next grade.

2) Because of social promotion, 74% of kids that graduate from NYC public schools that go on to attend City College (CUNY) have to take remedial classes in math, reading or writing.

3) OK class, let's do the math together: 4 out of 1o don't graduate high school on time or at all, and 3 out of 4 that do graduate and enroll in a local public college cannot read, write or count at the minimum college level.

4) These numbers scream of the abysmal failure that is the NYC public school system.

5) Incredibly, Mayor Bloomberg is bursting with pride over these numbers, and calls it progress.

6) If Bloomberg's own business produced these same results, he would jump out the window from shame and horror.

7) If you are a parent, and you have no choice but to send your kid to these schools, these numbers can break your heart.

8) Give the parents choices.

9) TEAR DOWN THESE SCHOOLS