I remember reading this same article in our teacher's lounge and many of my colleagues were outraged. Mayor Bloomberg credited principals and teachers for the increased graduation rate, but the rates acheived are not because the students are gaining the necessary skills. Teachers are encouraged to skew their grade scale. I know teachers that have students that attended class once every two weeks, and these students managed to get a 65. If the student has a 50 average, they are eligible for credit recovery, by taking a multiple choice test on a computer where they can look the answers up on the internet. How can a multiple choice test be equivilent to a semester of class? We have seniors who are graduating with a 5th grade reading level. How can a senior with a 5th grade reading level have a successful year in college? The problem isn't graduation rates, the problem is that the students who are socially promoted to graduate do not have the skills to go to college so they will have a better life in the future. I remember 15 years ago, a high school diploma meant something. It's not like that anymore, not even an associates degree is counted as a greater achievement anymore either. Most careers are looking for a bachelor's degree or higher. NYC has dumbed down their standards because instead of teachers having resources to elevate student learning, their jobs are threatened. Since a high school diploma doesn't mean as much, what is the harm in passing them along? They rather keep their jobs.
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