State: Albany HS among "persistently lowest achieving"
Albany High School has been identified as a "persistently lowest achieving" school by the state Education Department. That means the school will be eligible for new funding from the state -- if it agrees to make significant changes.
NYSED says it added Albany High to list because of its scores on English and math tests.
The school district will be holding public forums in March to discuss restructuring the high school.
Earlier on AOA: Capital Region school spending
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It's really tragic. I went to Albany High 1986-1990 and I got an excellent education - all college prep, AP classes, with lots and lots of extra-curricular activities (Latin Club, Yearbook, etc.). AHS could be an excellent HS. What happened?
... said xina on Jan 21, 2010 at 4:40 PM | link
ONly in public education is abject failure rewarded with more money.
The worse they do the more money they get.
Since the 60's funding on education has almost tripled in inflation adjusted terms...yet test scores have stagnated or declined...why?
teachers unions call teh shots, and there is no accountability in the ever increasing administrations.
www.thecartelmovie.com
... said Ike on Jan 21, 2010 at 5:27 PM | link
Was this news the reason there were 3 news trucks outside AHS this afternoon?
... said MattW on Jan 21, 2010 at 6:28 PM | link
haha, i love hearing people who arent teachers try to talk about who makes what decisions in today's education system. it's not really even worth a response from me, except to say that you are incredibly ignorant of the way things really are. teachers in todays schools literally are not allowed to do what they know is right, and i fear that things will only get worse for AHS from here on out, seeing how "more money for the school" actually translates as "more government control of the school" (restrictions on teachers choices, actions, materials, the use of innefective instructional menthods, etc. --but you knew that, right?). instruction will be regulated by government/administration higher-ups with a trickle down effect from people who've never seen the inside of a f*cking classroom.
... said Kim D. on Jan 22, 2010 at 6:54 AM | link
Give 'em hell Kim D.!!!
As someone who lives with an AHS teacher, all I can say is that the 10% of kids (and their dysfunctional parents who raised these monsters) who are a complete burden on the entire system (time, resources, and effort) should be dealt with in a rapid, but humane manner...the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Perhaps those in State Ed espousing such useless ideas could take them in and re-home them!!
... said R. on Jan 22, 2010 at 9:35 AM | link
As someone who grew up in the capital district and attended public high school, and now owns a house in Albany, it makes me sad that I am not willing to send my own (currently non-existant) childen to the public high school in Albany. Its a sad state when I know we'll eventually have to move out of the district, away from the Albany neighborhood I love so much, or start saving for private school tuition, just to ensure my kids have every opportunity I had. I am very hopeful Albany public schools turn things around - but also not willing to compromise on providing the best educational experience possible for my kids, similar to what my parents gave me.
... said Ker on Jan 22, 2010 at 9:50 AM | link
@ Kim D.
Couldn't agree with you more. Very well said. Teachers are an easy target. Hey did you know they don't work two months out of the year? Teachers have a union just like every other profession. Politicians and administrators do things to help get reelected and teachers are left to handle the consequences. After all, can we blame the parents for this poor performance? Can we blame the politicians? Who's left to blame?
... said ph on Jan 22, 2010 at 9:52 AM | link
@MattW Teachers unions hardly call the shots. They do however negotiate terms of employment for teachers. Teachers deserve to make money that allows them to live a reasonable middle class lifestyle. As it stands, they are among the lowest-paid masters degree holders. However, because of the terms of employment that many teachers work under, there are many complacent teachers, just waiting for their pension. The majority of teachers are not like this, but there are enough.
@Kim Isn't some outside control warranted if the results from no outside control have been so absolutely horrible?
... said Erik on Jan 22, 2010 at 10:26 AM | link
@Erik Thanks for the information, but Im not sure I understand your answer to my question.
... said MattW on Jan 22, 2010 at 12:42 PM | link