The relentless success of Success Academies

Though Success Academy charters in New York City serve primarily poor, mostly black and Hispanic students, the network is a testing dynamo, reports Kate Taylor for The New York Times. Last year, 29 percent of city public school students passed state reading tests, and 35 percent passed math. At Success schools, corresponding percentages were 64 and 94 percent, respectively. Rules at Success are explicit, expectations precise. Incentives like toys are offered for good behavior and for high scores on practice tests. Students deemed not trying are relegated to "effort academy," part detention, part study hall. Teachers are not unionized, with 11-hour days the norm, though beginning teachers receive salaries comparable to those for city public schools. Because administrative functions at Success schools are handled organizationally, principals have time to observe teachers. Each teacher is constantly monitored by a principal making frequent visits, and by databases recording quiz scores. Teachers who struggle receive coaching or demotion. The schools themselves are well-funded, rich in extracurriculars like art, music, chess, theater, dance, basketball, and swimming. The network supplements public money with money from private donors. Success founder Eva Moskowitz has used network scores to argue it should be allowed to open more schools, and an effort by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to raise state charter limits may bring this about. More

Source:  Public Education News Blast

Published by LEAP

Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP) is an education support organization that works as a collaborative partner in high-poverty communities.