February 12, 2012 · www.gothamgazette.com

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Strengthening Career and Technical Education
The city's career and technical education high schools feature prominently on the state’s “persistently low-achieving” list and fail to train for growing industries that are expected to provide high-skill, high-wage jobs in the future, according to this report by the public advocate. The city also does not track the success of specific programs or the career paths pursued by these students. (February 10, 2012)

Solar Panels on Public School Roofs
The installation of solar panels on the roofs of public schools could create 5,400 new jobs, according to this report by the Manhattan Borough President's office. It could also produce 169 megawatts of clean electricity; eliminate 76,700 tons of carbon from the air each year; and increase solar capacity in the five boroughs by over 2,600 percent. (January 31, 2012)

Demographics, Resources, and Outcomes of the Public School System
In this overview of the public school system, the Independent Budget Office reports that Hispanics make up nearly 40 percent of kids enrolled, while black students account for about 30 percent; the Dominican Republic is by far the most common birthplace for students born outside the U.S.; the Department of Education’s expense budget of $19.4 billion has grown by 22 percent since 2007; state funding accounted for 43 percent of that budget while city funds made up 41 percent and federal funds 15 percent; and student attendance increased over the last five years, improving from 86.9 percent in '06 to 89.7 percent last year. It goes into detail on much more. (October 13, 2011)

Phys Ed Flunks
Many elementary schools do not meet state guidelines for physical education, according to an audit released yesterday by City Comptroller John Liu. Schools did not offer the amount of physical activity required by the state, and some did not have a space for physical education or a physical education teacher. Despite the Bloomberg administration's concerns about obesity, school officials told the auditors that the city Department of Education leaves individual principals solely responsible for ensuring that students have the required opportunities for exercise. (October 5, 2011)

Bilking the City
Details have emerged about the alleged fraud committed by a firm called Future Technology Associates against the city Department of Education. On Wednesday, the city special commissioner for investigation issued a report charging that the firm used shell companies and inflated billing to bilk the city out of at least $6.5 million. Another report, this one by the city comptroller and made available to Gotham Gazette (link below), found that as questions were raised about Future Tech, the chief of the education department's Division of Finance repeatedly vouched for it. (It has since emerged the city official was romantically involved with one of Future Tech's owners.) (September 30, 2011)

NY State Department of Education
Lots of info here about state policies that now drive city reform efforts -- learning standards, assessment requirements and results, universal pre-K, charter schools, registration review and more. The Office of NYC School and Community Services page posts city-specific info. Also available: curriculum resource guides to help teachers and families ensure class work is aligned with state learning standards.
United Federation of Teachers
The teacher's union, never shy about its opinions on current policy issues, maintains a wide-ranging site.
Campaign for Fiscal Equity
Learn about the coalition in the midst of a lawsuit against the New York State to secure adequate resources for a quality education for all NYC public school kids. Skim Justice DeGrasse's decision, read editorials from around the state urging Governor Pataki to bring fairness to school funding, and learn about CFE's upcoming public engagement programs.
National Center for Education Statistics
Comparing schools in different areas around the country is difficult, but this center can help. Download "The Condition of Education, 2001" for performance trends, educational attainment data, and stats on school quality around the United States. If you're a believer in standardized tests, check out the Nation's Report Card at the National Assessment of Educational Progress web site.
Institute for Education and Social Policy
Investigates urban education issues and studies the impact of public policy on students from poor, disadvantaged, urban communities.

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