"I think it's very energizing to have our work recognized and really get everyone pumped about a new year," teacher Caitlin Cahill said.
The grades are based on test scores, attendance, surveys that ask how students, parents and teachers feel about the school and, most importantly, each school's progress compared to similar schools.
"It is a collection of data," said Peter McNally, executive vice president of the principals' union. "It is also a reflection, as the chancellor said, about student progress."
This year, 84 percent of the schools in question earned A's, compared to 38 percent last year. The percentages declined on schools earning grades of B, C, D and F. Only two schools earned F's: Washington Heights Academy and the Harlem Link Charter School.
"We will continue, I suspect, this year, to propose closing down several schools," schools chancellor Joel Klein said. "Under the new governor's law, we'll have to go through hearing processes, a whole bunch of changes we have to work with."
This is the third round of the yearly school progress reports. And once again, there are those who say the reports are too dependent on student test scores.
"I mean, obviously, there's going to be questions," teachers' union president Michael Mulgrew said. "But hopefully, we can have more meaningful conversations, both here in the city and at the state level, to make sure that we can all be assured that what we're measuring is the right thing to be measured."
Progress reports for high schools will be released later in the school year.
To read the full report and see how your child's school was graded, visit Schools.NYC.gov. \Caitlin Cahill\P.S. 189 TEACHER\\Peter McNally\PRINCIPALS UNION EXEC. V.P.\00\None\Joel Klein\NYC SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR\Michael Mulgrew\TEACHERS UNION PRESIDENT
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