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Although this is a sordid, if predictable, result of the data-driven, succeed-at-all-costs culture that is the DOE, I find something positive. The teachers were able to come together and act.  Congratulations to them for alerting the media, and congratulations to Anna Phillips for following up on their lead.

I am hoping the news media continue to delve into the workings of the school system.  We need watchdogs.

It’s amazing that she wasn’t reported sooner. Sadly the teachers probably hesitate to come forward because they are afraid of reprisal which just continues the cycle. So much blatant propaganda, excuses, and cover up from the bureaucrats and nobody does anything about it. The NY Times article quotes an official saying that Klein appointed her so she was apparently well qualified. Were they referring to the same Klein that appointed Cathy Black? Hmmm I wonder!!

This article made me laugh.  We’re outraged at what Janet Saraceno has done except that this was repeated over and over in most high schools in the city.  All principals inflate grades and the graduation rate.  At my high school in mid-June; 12 kids – count em, 12, had all the credits they needed to graduate.  The other 50 kids made up credits through credit recovery packets.  Kids who had never been to class graduated because they completed these packets.  Some kids were still working on these packets as late as last week so they could graduate.  There’s no room in the school for all the kids who would have had to be retained – that’s one problem and of course these stupid grades that come out at the end of the year are another problem.  I want to know why Bloomberg and Klein are allowed to continue crowing about the success and progress made in NYC.  The mayor continues to tout all the improvements made (does he really believe this?) and Klein is treated like an expert on education.  It’s ludicrous.  We will be digging ourselves out of the hole these two gentlemen have put us in for years.  They have completely destroyed public education in this city and we act like this fact is something that needs to be uncovered by journalists.  Everyone knows it — Bloomberg has completely wrecked the school system and it will take years to repair it.  At one time in NYC many schools worked well (not all, but many) now nothing works or schools that work are the exception.

FYI, before this Principal arrived Lehman was the ultimate cheating factory!  “Sir Bob Leder” was the master mind behind the corruption at this Bronx high school. 

I, too, commented about the same problem.  Why aren’t the newspaper doing more investigation about this problem and they only focus on one school.  Here’s my comment:  Saraceno’s NOT the only principal inflating the graduation rate.  The majority of the high schools are doing this in order for principals to keep their JOBS especially since they are not educators.  As for “advocacy for a weak and poorly executed recovery program”, are you kidding?  Why don’t you do a survey of how many schools have AVENTA or the “Finish this packet and get a credit” program for their seniors?  Do you know how many seniors are right now sitting in an office without supervision finishing up their AVENTA so they can get their diploma because the mayor has instilled so much fear in the hearts of so many principals that preservation, not education, is their goal.  Teacher abuse is the by-product because of all this.  So Anna great job in reporting THIS news but the abuse, the charade, the travesty continues about the real graduation rate and the grade change

Will Saraceno now peddle her wares in yet another unsuspecting DOE “academy” school?

I really don’t understand these articles.  It seems to indicate that she is LIKELY leaving.  If it is not official why is this news worthy?  I am sure there is a chance that many principals who run failing schools might be fired, but until it is official it seems like writing an article on it is just bad reporting…

Janet Saraceno should run for the hills from that school. Most of the staff there NEVER gave her a chance. From the day she walked in the door, a faction of staff members had it out for her. I applaud her for walking through those doors everyday even though she knew she was not wanted by the staff members who could not let go of Mr. Leder. Mrs. Saraceno, if you leave the school, you can in my opinion walk out with your head held high.