Press Release 2.25

February 25, 2015 • Press Release [Families for Excellent Schools] • Don't Steal Possible

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** FEBRUARY 25, 2015
Contact:
[email protected], 347 596 6389

FAMILIES FOR EXCELLENT SCHOOLS CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE STATE TAKEOVER OF ALL 178 FAILING “PRIORITY” SCHOOLS
Parents Urge Governor and State Legislature to Place All Priority Schools Under Receivership this Fall, Providing Bold, Structural Change for Chronically Failing Schools
Includes 91 Priority Schools in New York City
#DontStealPossible

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New York, NY – On Wednesday, Families for Excellent Schools announced that it would call on state leaders to place all 178 state-designated “Priority” schools in New York State under receivership this fall. The call for state takeover of the state’s worst schools presents a bold step forward in addressing the statewide failing schools crisis.

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With hundreds of failing schools statewide, and cities like New York City simply unwilling to take action, parents are calling on state leaders to put these schools into receivership immediately. A receivership model would free chronically failing schools from bureaucratic obstacles and place them under the stewardship of proven operators. If the schools are unable to improve, they will close.

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“When cities like New York City refuse to take bold action to fix the city’s failing schools, we need the state to act urgently,” said Jeremiah Kittredge, CEO of Families for Excellent Schools. “Statewide, 800,000 children fail every year—we cannot accept that any longer.
What are the 178 Priority Schools?

Title I (high-poverty) schools that are persistently low-achieving and among the bottom 5% of lowest-performing schools in the state
Title I or Title I-eligible secondary schools with graduation rate less than 60% for a number of years
Title I or Title I-eligible schools implementing school intervention models using School Improvement Grants fund (SIG)

Families for Excellent Schools harnesses the power of families to advance policy and political changes that create and sustain excellent schools.

http://www.FamiliesForExcellentSchools.org
On Twitter at: @Fam4ExcSchools