GothamSchools — daily independent reporting on NYC public schools

A teacher training program is warning its recruits to stay away from certain New York City schools, according to a list obtained by GothamSchools.

The list, compiled by Math for America and sent to its fellows, includes a mix of new schools created under Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and schools that have been troubled for years. Math for America is a program that recruits and trains people who are talented at math to teach in inner-city schools.

Many of the schools are brand new and some, such as the three small schools in the Lafayette High School complex, opened to replace schools the Department of Education decided to close. Others, such as International Leadership Charter School and Acorn High School for Social Justice, have undergone jarring leadership changes. None of them are among the 19 schools the city wants to begin phasing out this year.

Called the “School Awareness List,” the list of nearly 20 schools is part of Math for America’s effort to retain the teachers it trains by ensuring they end up in schools with supportive administrations. Though the name easily could be a euphemism for a black list, fellows are not prohibited from taking jobs at the schools. (more…)