Dodging A Bullet At A Disrespectful School. - School #18

Well I lucked out as I was covering a class in my content area that already had seven teachers  since the semester started and was told they might keep me until the original teacher either returns or tells them that he's not coming back.  However, it seems the school's administration, led by another "Leadership Academy Principal" didn't bother to do the paperwork to retain me and thankfully, I'm on my way to another adventure. I feel sorry for the students as they are feeling betrayed as they have a new teacher weekly and are well behind academically .  Passing the Regents is almost impossible but "its not about the children" to these "Leadership Academy Principals".

The school, that I was in is 85% black and 10% Hispanic.  If you look at the unrealistic school progress report, the school is doing well.  However, being there I experienced, first-hand the downside of the school.  A general disrespect for authority, failure to get to their class on time despite the short distance between classes, and lack of manners by many of the students.  The freshman classes in all the schools in this Southeast Queens school campus are the worst ever.  Like all the schools in this campus, the quality of students are falling off rapidly and declining college readiness scores reflect it.  The school is no longer attracting high quality students and are forced to accept lower performing students to keep their numbers up.

At one time few special education and English Language Learners were part of the student body as the school attracted many academically achieving students as they needed.  Unfortunately,  the school can no longer count on this and the influx of Special Education students has required the school to consider self-contained classes and to add a special education teacher to the staff.

The only good thing is that the school has its own parking area and the commute wasn't terrible.

GRADE "D".