Today's New York Times feature on the the state Supreme Court ruling to approve with the closing of 22 traditional public schools and proceed with 15 new public charters was the big news of the day:
LINK. Last year, the teachers union successfully filed a similar suit which prevented reportedly failing schools from being shuttered and the city was told to "take steps to improve the process by which it closed schools." Apparently the process is now agreeable with the courts and a "logistical nightmare" at the beginning of the school year in September has been prevented. Other details are still being reviewed within the lawsuit but closings and openings are on schedule in the meantime.
The above photo is the back end of the Harlem Village Academy which topped off on the 125th Street side but has more recently reached its full height at 124th Street entrance. Many of the new charters are taking over current traditional public school spaces uptown but the Harlem's Children Zone and Harlem Village Academy are also transforming the neighborhood with ambitious new construction. See the final plans of this school that will face Marcus Garvey Park and was designed by the same firm who recently finished the new Richard Rodgers Amphitheater:
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The public school system has been broken for so long and now all this outrage at charter schools. Where was the outrage at the failed public school system?
ReplyDeleteThe outrage at the failed public school system spawned the charter schools.
ReplyDeleteWould've been nice if the outrage at the failed public school system had spawned better public schools. Aren't we the only 1st world country that doesn't have a well-funded, successful public school system?
ReplyDeleteSad.