Schools improve after award of $900K

Six Queens district schools in Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, and Corona, were all on a recent list of 1,759 public schools, nationwide, that were deemed to be improving under the federal ‘No Child Left Behind Act.’
P.S. 69, P.S. 148, P.S. 212, I.S. 227, P.S. 28 and the Christopher A. Santora School were deemed “High Performing/Gap Closing” along with the 51st Avenue Academy that was rated as “Rapidly Improving.” The New York State Board of Education was responsible for all ratings.
High Performing/Gap Closing means that the schools are recognized for meeting New York State standards for English language arts along with math during the 2006-2007 school year. They also have met the adequate yearly progress (AYP) standards for the last two consecutive years. “Rapidly Improving” means that while the school was below state standards in at least one subject this year, it had made the AYP for the last three school years.
Last December, Senator John D. Sabini helped award five of the seven schools with over $900K in funding from the state education department’s contract for excellence program.
The schools on Sabini’s list and the amount they received were P.S. 69 – $221,304; P.S. 148 – $321,982; P.S. 212 – $208,132; I.S. 227 – $15,207 and the 51st Street Academy – $155,749.
“This funding is making sure they have all they need to succeed,” said Sabini. He went on to say that overcrowded schools could become great schools with funding and support.
Money is allocated under contract for excellence in four different categories which include class size reduction, time on task, middle school/high school restructuring and lastly the teacher and principle quality initiatives.
Funds for all of these programs will be used to hire new teachers, construct new classroom space, extend classroom hours train teachers in new skills and to change, add or eliminate academic programs.