Queens Charter schools rack up record scores

This year, Queens Charter Schools registered record high scores on State English Language Arts and Math exams.
According to stats from the New York City Charter Center, 86.9 percent of Queens charter school students met or exceeded grade-level standards in math. By comparison, 77.5 percent of other public school students in Queens districts with charter schools, 74.3 percent of students citywide, and 80.7 percent of students statewide met or exceeded standards.
In English Language Arts, 75 percent of Queens charter school students met or exceeded grade-level standards. By comparison, 61.4 percent of other public school students in Queens districts with charter schools, 57.6 percent of students citywide, and 68.5 percent of students statewide met or exceeded standards.
The announcement of these results came on Tuesday, July 1 by New York City Center for Charter School Excellence CEO James Merriman.
“What is most impressive is how consistent these numbers are,” Merriman said. “In almost every grade and in both subjects, public charter schools performed at their highest levels yet.”
Even Mayor Bloomberg states that the accomplishments by these charter schools this year make them a great educational choice for families in Queens.
“Results like these are especially gratifying for those of us who worked last year to convince lawmakers in Albany to increase the cap on the number of charter schools we can open,” said Bloomberg. “Next year, with nearly 80 charter schools operating in the city, many more families will have the opportunity to choose to send their children to a charter school.”
These charter schools give kids from all different backgrounds a chance to excel in the fields of math and English. “Our charter schools serve a higher percentage of poor and African-American or Hispanic kids than other city schools, yet their students are scoring at the same level in reading as the rest of the state and at higher levels in math,” said Chancellor Joel Klein.
When a school district embraces the education reform, the children reap the benefits.
“Joel Klein and the incredibly hard-working charter school leaders and teachers in New York City have set a standard and bar for all of us to meet,” said Nelson Smith, President of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
New York City has 60 charter schools serving more than 18,000 students. Charter schools are independent public schools that admit students by open lottery and are located in communities of greatest need.
This fall, the city plans to open 18 new charter schools.