There are quite a number of high schools in Queens that students and teachers are avoiding at all costs. Many of these schools are having enrollment problems and cannot attract academically proficient students. The result is that these schools struggle to keep up their numbers and must accept the many "high needs" and the "over the counter"students who are academically behind their grade level. Thanks to the Bloomberg Administration policies, we no longer have community high schools and these schools cannot attract the type of student necessary to raise the school's standards. One Principal of a struggling school stated the obvious.
“Enrollment is a big issue for us,” he said. “When your numbers are so low, it affects the money you’re bringing in, what you can do, your programs, your class size.”
After the first round of selections for the high schools by the 8th grade students, here is a list of schools that still have numerous vacancies because no student listed them in their top 12 choices.Topping the list are August Martin and John Adams high schools, along with the two remaining Campus Magnet schools not slated to close.
School...............................................Vacancies
August Martin.........................................580
MSRT Magnet.........................................186
Humanities and Arts Magnet......................150
John Adams............................................415
Grover Cleavland.....................................245
Long Island City......................................205
QIRT.....................................................105
Fredrick Douglas Academy VI......................85
Martin Van Buren....................................170
Newtown...............................................135
Queens Preparatory Academy....................115
Rockaway Collegiate.................................90
Rockaway Park.......................................130
Excelsior Preparatory Academy...................75
Flushing................................................115
George Washington Carver.........................75
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Many of the schools listed are the Bloomberg created small schools that were carved out of the big comprehensive schools that were forced to close due to the DOE deliberately dumping a high concentration of "high needs" and "over the counter" students to ensure that they fail. By contrast, many of the sought after schools like Forest Hills, Francis Lewis, and Cardozo have no vacancies. The entire citywide guide is Here.
Unless the De Blasio Administration reverses course and allows the high schools to become once again community based schools, the schools listed above, will always struggle to attract capable students to their schools. Combine that with the new teacher evaluation system, look for few quality teachers willing to work in such a challenging classroom environment.
Did You try the Regents prep app to study for this regents? It is on the Google play store. It helps
ReplyDeleteAs an ATR who has been to 98 percent of the schools listed I totally agree with the students. Everyone wants to stay as far away from those places as possible - especially Magnet (Maggot) Schools and Far Rockaway schools. Horrible places for ATRs just the worst. Worst idea ever to close schools and rename them - talk about rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The administrations in most of these schools are disgusting - they shouldn't be working with people - maybe roaches but not people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with last post. The ATRs get a bird's eye view of all these schools. They are from positive learning environments. Some of the named schools resemble mini Rikers holding pens.
ReplyDeleteThe students in these schools run the places and they know it. They get away with anything and everything - there is no discipline whatsoever. Bells ring and the hallways are still crammed with students. Students walk in and out of classes at will - they throw things and curse at each other and at teachers and at teh administrators and NOTHING happens. They never give work to ATRS for the kids to do so the kids throw things and play music and generally have a party. Use your sick days. (OH and you as atrs are blamed.)
ReplyDeleteI've heard this from so many ATR's..it's disgraceful that teachers need to go to work and have to fear for their safety.
DeleteRockaway Park HS for Environmental Sustainability has a lot going for and I'll bet recruitment issues are not based in perceptions of a disorderly or low performing school .
ReplyDeleteIt is probably a case of geographic isolation. Many campuses at the end of only one subway line have faced recruitment issues.
A look at their website shows some great things going on ay RPHSES
Chaz,
ReplyDeleteTime to inform you of principal Julie Nariman of Innovation & Language High School on the Christopher Columbus Campus, Bronx. This "principal" is a total waste. She is in her 4th year of her school as she is the founding principal. Her 1st graduating class in 3 weeks will feature a grad rate of approx 50%. She has no assistant principals in her entire school which everyone knows is a total joke. The school offers absolutely nothing for its students, but it's fine since the parents are from foreign countries and don't know any better. This school is the prime example of a replacement school within a large high school that never really "worked" as the Bloomberg admin hoped. A bogus curriculum with poor resources. They have nothing! The stats are below average and the teachers, including myself, are miserable. Ms. Nariman is also the wife of shameful principal Richard Bost, who bragged how the former DOE brass hooked his wife up. She is a terrible principal who is in way over head. Then again, no ones really watching so no one really cares. It's just a shame because no one really knows the truth about this school or these other pathetic small schools with no resources, no money, and no enrollment.
Martin Van Buren HS has been faced with a co-location this year. This new high school, BTECH, opened with a 9th grade class, and is slated to add an additional grade each year. As a result, MVBHS is undergoing a gradual phasing down in enrollment of approximately 20% each year to accommodate the new school. Vacancies at MVB will shrink as BTECH expands to its full planned capacity.
ReplyDeleteAnother fake small school with a fake Principa and non experienced staff. Hey, the minorities don't know any better. Can only get away with this in nyc. Never in the surrounding areas, NEVER!
DeleteI would never send my child to any of those terrible schools.
ReplyDeleteChaz, as an ATR social worker I have moved around and from what I see I can tell you that the public schools are doing exactly what the charter schools are doing and that is this: I have noticed that many students who are 11th graders and even 12th graders do not have any regents scores on their transcripts. Why you say?/ Many students are not given the regents exams if the school obviously feels they cannot or will not pass the exams. So, what we have going on in our schools is very similar to the charters...That is eliminate the students who will not pass the regents and only give the exams to the students whom the school feels will pass. So the schools rankings will prosper and similar to the charters who just move kids out of the school totally who are not up to speed. I mean I am seeing dozens of students who are juniors and seniors and have not taken a single regents exam!!! This will backfire on many schools as graduation rates will plummet when the cohorts come to roost.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous #4, having seen the contempt you have for the students and the way that you speak to them, I'm certain the problem lay not in the theater teacher's skills and professionalism, but in your own. When you openly insult the students and the school, not just behind closed doors but directly to their faces, it's no wonder they treat you with the same level of disrespect. This is not a sewer of a school, though you are most decidedly a sewermouth of a "teacher". Perhaps if you'd refrain from constantly spewing your hateful venom, you would be received better by faculty and students alike.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous11:16pm,
ReplyDeleteI am the “drama teacher” to whom you are referring. It is unfortunate that you had such difficulty connecting with my students when you covered my classes. I appreciate the copy of your notes about each of my classes. You did not sign your name, so I had no way of responding to your comments. I am sorry you felt you had to air your grievances on a public forum. I feel I must respond accordingly, in support of my students.
I was taught to learn the rules of the space to which I was invited, whether that be someone’s home, office, or classroom so that I would be considered welcome. If my upbringing taught me different than what I was seeing, I could challenge the prevailing ideals, but was acutely aware that I may have no influence whatsoever. In my classroom this year, I have asked my students to tackle serious social issues of their choosing. They have researched and debated a myriad of topics from civil rights to climate change. I encourage my students to challenge my own thoughts and opinions and to back up their claims with evidence. It is likely that my students were exercising their discussion and debate skills in an attempt to engage you in critical banter, which you took as an affront to your authority.
This year we also discussed issues of privacy. For three classes you covered, I provided to you a list of assignments students were missing. Many of my students were humiliated when you read the list with their names out loud.
I am also an ally for my LGBT students. I have made it very clear in each of my classes that disparaging LGBT remarks are not tolerated. I was devastated to hear that my LGBT identifying students and their allies had to defend themselves against your remarks.
It is also important to note that I work with several English Language Learners and special education students. Many of them struggle with social norms and customs. Often times they need gentle reminders about what is acceptable classroom behavior. When someone shouts at or shames them, they become agitated.
My 4th period class did not get the chance to meet you. When I returned the next day, they said there was no teacher in the room. The majority of student s provided me with work they completed, since I told them I always leave something for them to do when I am out of the building. It seems you went to their old classroom from when they were with a different teacher. I find it odd that on arriving in an empty classroom, you did not check the lesson plans that I left, which clearly state where the class meets.
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ReplyDeleteAs for the chaos you wrote about in your notes to me, I feel it is important to mention that teenagers in schools have very little means of working towards acceptance by authority, especially when it comes in the form of bullying from an adult. I cannot speak for what goes through my students’ minds, because I am not them. However, what I have witnessed when teenagers are stressed due to too many restrictions, over-policing, or an authority figure taking advantage of their power, is rebellion-pure and simple. Often times that rebellion manifests in antagonizing the perceived authority. This includes talking over the authority, shouting, throwing things, doing the opposite of what one is told, swearing, and resorting to what I will term “the shock factor”- doing things they think will shock and/or appall the person in charge. When two or more teenagers feel injustice has replaced civility, chaos erupts as friends begin to back each other up, or “groupthink” kicks in.
My students had a major debrief and discussion the following day while debating and dissecting the quote of the day by philosopher and composer Jean-Jacques Rousseau, “No man has any natural authority over his fellow man.”
My students are not “cretins.” They are insightful, intelligent human beings who felt attacked. They used the tools within their scope of power to defend themselves.
I hope that you have better experiences as you continue to substitute for teachers. I was a substitute for several months and it’s certainly not easy. You don’t know what you’re walking into or who you’ll encounter. You don’t know what you’ll be asked to do. It takes an extreme amount of patience and flexibility that is tried over and over. There are some classes you click with and others you cringe at. Two things that helped me were remembering that one, I was walking into someone else’s space and two, nothing was personal. I didn’t know the kids well enough to understand all the nuances in the room- there could have been a fight or a breakup or a new admit that was the instigating factor in a “difficult” classroom- things I wasn’t privy to. As humans it is hard not to take things personally, but with my students, even when I’m hurt or frustrated, I try to remember that it’s not about me, it’s about them. And I am constantly rewarded with their trust and the occasional thank you.
Best of Luck.