New York City School Are Failing Our Children

New York City has adapted a new initiative on teaching called the Common Core. With this new teaching technique comes new books and reading material to be distributed. Ps. 106 in Queens has none of that, yet still expect their students to learn this new way of thinking and pass the rigorous standardized test. It’s unfair to the students and teachers. Ps. 106 offers no art or gym. They cram up to 40 students in one class room. What’s worst about the school is they have no leader. The principle of the school is a no show, and when she does show up it’s at the end of the school day (Edelman). The article sheds light on many issues that are happening in that school. The devastating part is that it’s happening all across New York City.

            The Common Core Standard Initiative is a new way of teaching where the student, parent and teacher have a common understand to what the student should know. “Common Core emphasizes deep analysis and creative problem-solving over short answers and memorization” (Hernandez). New York City and 45 other states have taken on the Common Core as their new form of learning. The question is, is it working? New York City test scores have dropped since the change. Educators are saying that the test demand too much from our students. Some parents have gone as far as having their children protest exams.
            Tenure gives teachers a contract for life. These teachers are exempt from getting fired for no reason. In the past tenure was automatic after a certain amount of years working; now you have to earn it. Many unfit teachers have earned their tenure by “time served”. A teacher charged with sexual assault against a student can continue to work because of his tenure. “After all, he lost his job, but not his teaching certificate” (Reeder).
            New York City schools are failing our children. How are they expected to learn if they don’t have the materials, how are the teachers expected to teach if they lack the schooling, how is a school expected to run if it has no leader?

Work citied

Edelman,Susan. “No books, no clue at city’s worst school”. New York Post. NYP Holdings. January 12, 2014. Web. March 28, 2014

Hernandez, Javier and Gebeloff, Robert. “Test Scores Sink as New York Adopts Tougher Benchmarks”.  The New York Times. The New York Times Company. August 7, 2013. Web. March 28, 2014

Reeder, Scott. “Teachers get fired, but don’t leave classroom”.  Hidden Violations.  Small Newspaper Group. N.d. Web. March 28, 2014