"Only 5 percent of the students in Rochester's public schools graduate in four years "college and career ready": that is, with an education good enough to go to college or get a decent job."

Well, the other 95% can always get a job serving on the RCSD school board.

Ms. Towler,

I must call you out on this article. I'm just not buying how "shocked" you are to discover that "the graduation rate - bad as it is - is inflated [,and that] many of the diplomas are worthless."

I'm certain you recall that when I was interviewed by you (as a candidate for Rochester Board of Education) in 2003, 2007, and again in 2009 --- one of the four (4) points that I ran on and articulated each time was "ending all forms of social promotion." Thus, I told you in 2003, 2007, and again in 2009 that "many hundreds, if not thousands of our students were sitting in high school --- who could barely read and write." I told you that many of them were being "shuffled from one grade to the next (based mainly on age) prior to gaining the necessary knowledge and skills at the previous grade level --- to be successful at the next level." I told you that many of them had "earned" diplomas, "which, they can barely read." So, this is not news to you. Either that, or you weren't listening, or you were listening to the wrong folk, i.e. those whom you endorsed, or you were so aloof, unrealistic, and possibly arrogant --- that you thought you knew better than those of us who are the true, authentic experts.

Now that the reality has apparently sunk in --- you're still asking many of the wrong questions. For example, your elitist rhetoric about so-called "bright children" --- is just that, i.e. elitist rhetoric. Secondly, we don't have to "persuade taxpayers to continue to pay for" public education. Unless the State Constitution changes, as taxpayers --- we don't have a choice but to pay --- period. With regard to your question about "attracting businesses to Rochester" --- the answer is the same as it's always been, i.e. unless we fundamentally reform the educational system to the extent that we turn out massive numbers of productive citizens --- the "help" will be imported --- as it has been for decades. My main point is that the types of questions, which you are raising, and have been raising (seems like forever) --- do not represent the priorities of the communities that are most negatively affected. Our priorities are the children --- all of them!

Lastly, since your publication and the D&C seem to be competing for the position of #1 cheerleaders for the Brizard regime --- you need to get on the same page. You, in particular, have been touting the issue of "poverty" as "the biggest obstacle" to academic success for decades. What you don't seem Io realize is that the team/regime that you are cheering for --- apparently is not in agreement with you.

By the way, I don't think that any of us are looking for "miracle workers," but we are seeking bold, knowledgeable, committed leaders who have the intestinal fortitude to stand and fight unapologetically for that which our children and families need and deserve --- as opposed to carrying agendas of the rich and powerful, or anyone else for that matter --- other than the children's agenda.

Pastor Florence, right on, when we understand the meaning of unity of purpose, Education, Poverty Prevention and Spiritual cultivations we take a holistic approach. While not dealing with dilapidated housing, poverty and our youths being debarred from the opportunity to earn income to support their children is bull. Not ever to buy homes in any community is a sure travesty and we are missing the real points. Education is the key for a better life we must teach ownership at new levels.
Not everyone will go to collage but teaching all of our children should be our goal not just providing a way out of the ghetto but a way to build within.

Good post Howard ! It will be interesting to see if Ms. Towler bothers to respond as her silence on most criticisms and rebuttals is deafening......and telling.

CitizenCandyKane,

Thank you. Indeed it will be interesting, and indeed it is deafening.

And how, Mary Anna, does it makes sense that any of the three mayors we have had in the past few weeks are going to be better at tackling this problem of poverty than an elected school board? You think the mayoral selection process is politicized? Wait till Morelle gets his paws on the City School budget... And what new ideas does your main man Richards have about these issues? You don't know? Maybe you should have asked him that before signing your valuable credibility over to him.

Who pays Urbanski's salary?

This might be old news to many readers, but its worth a read if you aren't in tune with the views and direction of Brizzard.

http://dissentmagazine.org/article/?article=3781