AM REPORT: More bad news about urban schools
By Mary Anna Towler on Apr. 1st, 2008 at 8:01am 4 Comments
You've got to wonder how long it will take the nation to recognize the role that poverty is playing in inner-city children's education.
According to Associated Press, a new report says that in urban public school systems throughout the country, the graduation rate is only about 50 percent, way 
lower than the rate for students in suburban and rural schools.
The report was published by America's Promise Alliance, an organization founded by former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Its findings mimic those familiar to people in the Greater Rochester area.
Seems to me you can draw one of only two conclusions. Either teachers in city systems throughout the country are inferior, or something about the demographics of urban students is causing the low graduation rate.
As this newspaper has been saying for well over a quarter of a century, it's clear that poverty is the problem. And in Rochester, as the poverty rate has gotten higher, the grades and the graduation rate have gotten lower.
Now Rochester has a new, highly qualified superintendent, and he has just set high goals for this school system's graduation rate. High goals will be accompanied by high expectations - not only by Superintendent Brizard but also by the public and by community leaders. Brizard can't do a darned thing about the poverty, so it'll be a miracle if the district meets his goal for graduation rates.
And then what? Will we be disillusioned with yet another superintendent?
User Comments
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Borg on April 2nd, 2008
Your first sentence says it! Bobby Kennedy preached it, John Edwards knew it... we can fix poverty. Why do we choose not to? Good Question! Jobs mean stability - Stability and trust in a system of public services like school, police, emergency services, health systems etc . makes people take stock in their own communities. I have said for years that the district needs to subdivide so that neighborhoods care about their own school systems - this is beginning to happen. Now create - yes "create" some jobs in the city and you will surely see a change - if we had done this a generation ago we wouldn't be in this position.
loop on April 25th, 2008
IS poverty the REAL problem ?? do theses 50% of non graduation students have a father, are they in a broken home, do they do drugs, are they gang members?. I am sick of these self serving statistics. Here is a statistic for you, 97% of hight school drop outs drink milk, by your illogic milk should be removed from their diet since that is the "only conclusion" you can draw. Immigrants to this country that show up to the game with nothing are dirt poor and seem to do VERY well in the public education system, I guess they see the value in getting an education and actually TRY.It is because it is expected of them. When big daddy finally stops making excuses why poor people should fail and actually expect them to succeed they will....
bloggie on April 29th, 2008
Poverty is a part of the problem but there are other contributing factors as well.
Ismael on April 30th, 2008
i know alot of refugees who have come here and they do very well, but one must explore the reasons why. In most of the countries these students come from it is instilled in them that the path to success lies in education. Success must also be defined. "Success" in this country is entirely defined in terms of $$$. In alot of countries it means "a good name" or in being "honorable" or "large morally upright families" etc etc. Many of these same news organizations that decry the problems that are going on in the inner cities are also the ones telling them that the only way to be successful is if you are a professional athlete or musician.
What schools and communities (starting in the home) seem to be incapable of or unwilling to do is set realistic and worthwhile goals when it comes to being a contributing member of a community, good citizens etc. Until that changes you can pump all the money you want into schools, it will be worthless.