The recently posted New York State Dept. of Education report card of schools (April 25, 2013) shows that New Rochelle High school continues to languish in making progress in graduating Latino students and Students with Disabilities. Both current graduation rates are substantially below the State Standards. 72% of Latino students graduate in 4 years while 56% of Students with Disabilities graduate in 4 years. Because this latter group’s rate of graduation is so low, New Rochelle High School did not meet its accountability for this reporting period. While there is a link to the NYS Report Cards on the NRED.ORG web page, it does not post the most recent information on the New Rochelle Schools as it did a couple of years ago. Of note is that the cohort for this graduating class began with 859 students, but only 716 graduated on time in 2012: and this number is suspect because I did not see 716 names in the graduation booklet in June 2012.
According to the NYS Dept. of Education schools with similarly situated Latino student populations did better in graduating Latino students in 4 years: White Plains graduated Latino students at the tune of 80%, Tarrytown 78%, Port Chester at 73% and Yonkers, with over 1856 high school students – and 937 Latino students graduated 72% of them in 4 years. So much for New Rochelle’s perceived eminence.
So, what has been done to improve the high school graduation rate for this specific group of students, who are the largest ethnic group in New Rochelle High School? At the most recent annual performance statement by the NRHS Principal, in December, no detail information was presented. No questions from the school board were recorded. While some will say that an effort has been presented to improve the graduation rate on all fronts, it is suspect. It is suspect because there seems to have been implemented a process for fast-tracking and stream lining students towards graduating at all cost at the expense of real learning. Who is leading this effort? What do you think teachers have to say about this? Did anyone ask their opinion? Does anyone care? Oh yes, the Board represents all students. Yet there are members on the Board who sit muted at every meeting and it would be miraculous to hear an opinion or simply state a question.
So while we contemplate a new Budget for next year, it is the same old same old. The principal of NRHS will retire. The Assistant Principal will be elevated to principalship. The business of running the school will remain the same because the Board demands it so. PAVE will remain a bastion of non-Latino or Black Albert Leonard kids who fill those ranks overwhelmingly. The Honors classes will also be the same. Walk in on an Honor’s class someday – see the diversity. My hope has always been that because we produce dynamic learners from Columbus, Jefferson and Trinity they could somehow overcome the deficiency of Isaac Young and hopefully recoup in High School that which they learn in elementary school. But the overwhelming presence of inept, rude and power-tripped security personnel at IYMS and NRHS deflates our students and our hopes. I have followed many of my son’s colleagues who were in kaleidoscope on Columbus. Less than a handful will graduate with him this year. Many have not received the support from school staff – some have dropped out; some are in jail. Many will say that it is the parents fault. But our schools are “in loco parentis” since our children spent so much time in school. I don’t expect an answer from the school Board because they have NEVER answered any of my questions at all of the school board meetings I have attended. No cojones I guess.
Martin Sanchez