Most real educators snicker when Mayor Bloomberg, Chancellor Dennis Walcott, and the news media brag how the graduation rate rose over the Bloomberg years. The truth is that the graduation rates rose not because the students were getting a better education but because of artificial means used by the DOE and principals. While most educators point to the extensive use of bogus "credit recovery courses " and the poor "college and career readiness rates"of these high school graduates, one thing that does not get enough publicity is "grade inflation". Yes, many principals not only pressure teachers in passing students who don't deserve to pass by requiring their teachers to have a minimum class passing rate of 80% or higher but require teachers who do fail a student to limit the failing grade to an artificially high value. A prime example is the often maligned Flushing High School.
On the Ed notes Online blog a Science teacher Mr. Ok Seung Young has published his three letters of complaint to top DOE officials who have refused to take action against Principal James Brown's outrageous grading policy. Yes, the very same James Brown who was cited in the New York Post and my blog for his misconduct, including charges of "sexual harassment" and was found guilty of the misconduct by a jury in court but seemed to get a job with the DOE anyway. These letters can be foundHere,Here, and Here.
According to Mr. Ok Seung Young, Principal James Brown has decreed that no student can get a grade lower than 55, even if they don't show up! In addition, the grade is worth only 33% of the final grade which can allow the administration wiggle room to use"credit recovery"and other dubious methods to artificially raise the failing student's grade to passing by year's end. In other words, the student need only show up for one of three marking periods and do the required work and get a passing grade along with some artificial grade inflators, unbelievable!If Principal James Brown's bogus grading policy is allowed to stand, which seems to be in violation of the New York State grading system, then what kind of education are these students actually getting? That's right its "junk education"! What kind of message are we sending to employers allowing students who fail to show up and don't do the necessary schoolwork by giving then a bogus diploma. Is it any wonder that New York City employers complain that many high school graduates lack the proper skills and work ethic to succeed in the adult world? If you are a employer, would you hire a Flushing High School graduate knowing that the awarding of the diploma may be tainted? It's a real pity that the Bloomberg administration is more interested in the bogus graduation rate than the real education necessary for our students to prepare for the real world.