Six Buffalo schools removed from state review list
Officials say results show academic plan is working
Six Buffalo schools were removed from the state’s list of badly underperforming schools Monday in what was widely viewed as a sign that the city’s academic improvement plan is taking root.
Since no Buffalo schools were added to the list, the number of city schools under registration review by the state was reduced to 10 from 16. No other schools in the Buffalo Niagara region are on the list.
Robert M. Bennett, chancellor of the state Board of Regents, congratulated the district for its progress and urged school officials to build on it.
“I’m sure they’re concentrating now on the other 10 schools that will be the next ones to come off the list, so we can celebrate that as well,” he said. “Let’s keep working hard because this is what we expect.”
Superintendent James A. Williams said the removal of the six schools—based on improved English and math test scores—is the product of a reform program that features a longer school year and school day, smaller class sizes and greater use of math, reading and technology coaches.
“This is an indication that our teachers and principals are doing an outstanding job,” Williams said.
The Buffalo Public Schools removed from the list are: Dr. Antonia Pantoja Community School 18, Native American Magnet School 19, Community School 53, Early Childhood Center School 61, Hamlin Park School 74 and Pfc. William J. Grabiarz School 79.
While there have been other signs that academic achievement is on the rise in Buffalo, Monday’s announcement was especially welcomed by school officials because it showed that even the city’s most troubled schools can show marked improvement.
In addition, it helped soothe the sting of data released last August showing that the city’s already alarming high school graduation rate dropped by 5 percentage points, to 46 percent.
Williams said his academic intervention plan has been focused primarily at younger pupils and will filter into the high schools as those students progress.
“That’s how we’re going to turn our high schools around,” he said. “It’s a slow process, but we should see better graduation rates, better Regents test scores and overall improvement.”
Buffalo’s improvement reflects statewide gains.
Throughout New York, 25 schools were removed from the list, and five were added. That leaves 43 schools on the list, the smallest number since registration review status was created in 1989.
Schools under registration review are those farthest from meeting state standards. They face the possibility of being closed if they fail to improve.
The schools that came off the list met standards that become more rigorous each year, said State Education Commissioner Richard P. Mills.
“While these schools have made progress, there is much unfinished work,” he said. “They must now build upon these efforts to increase student achievement.”
Of the 10 Buffalo schools remaining on the list, Grover Cleveland High School will be reconstituted as the International Preparatory School at Grover, and South Park High School will also be reconstituted next year in a refurbished facility, Williams said.
The other Buffalo schools remaining on the list are the Elementary School of Technology School 6, Poplar Academy School 11, Frank A. Sedita Community School 30, Futures Academy School 37, Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy School 76, West Hertel Academy School 94, the Harvey Austin School 97 and Burgard High School.
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