A worried, back-to-the-1970s fatalism seems the mode du jour: ACS may fall deeper into debt or lose funding, doubts about funding for class-size reduction, and a bleak overall analysis that predicts regression over progress in city schools fill the daily papers.
Against this black canvas, the DOE announced yesterday $7 million for new programs for English language learners -- 148,000 students citywide who, in addition to learning math, science and literature, have to (eventually) master English as well. Grants of up to $100,000 will be distributed to 110 city schools; funders include the DOE, the New York City Council, the UFT, and the New York Immigration Coalition Task Force.
All city schools are mandated to support students learning the language, although in practice, efforts vary widely, and outcomes are mixed . Overall, nearly as many ELL students drop out of high school as graduate -- 28.9% vs. 30.8%, in 2007 -- while former ELL students graduate at rates higher than citywide averages -- 70.9% in 2007, vs. 60% citywide -- and far fewer, less than 10%, drop out.
It may be just a tiny glimmer, but it's a welcome glint of hope, just the same.
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