Harlem+Village+Academy,+NY,+NY

Was on NBC talking for the new book http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40153870/vp/47713643#47713643

New York State report cards https://reportcards.nysed.gov/schools.php?year=2008&instid=800000056180

New York City progress reports and data from the city with links to report cards http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/05/M709/AboutUs/Statistics/default.htm

Data from charter network website http://www.nyccharterschools.org/node/3353/data#pane-enrollment-special-education

2010-2011 16 9th graders 2009-2010 20 8th graders 2008-2009 34 7th graders 2007-2008 46 6th graders 2006-2007 66 5th graders

'lost' 50 out of 66, which is a 76% attrition

Demographics: 55% Free lunch 13% Reduced Lunch 3% LEP

Teacher turnover rate 2007-2008 53% 2008-2009 38% 2009-2010 61%

8th grade results are high, but have to look at attrition.

According to State report card, 0 students took Geometry regents, 0 took Algebra II, 0 took Chemistry, 0 took Physics regents.

Unhappy former TFAer didn't get letter of rec from Deborah Kenny http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/11/05-2

My interchange with a source: From me: Wait a second. 90 students took geometry? But they have only 80 students in total for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade (26 10th, 24 11th, 30 12th). Unless, those numbers are wrong too. This makes no sense. It seems to me that they are lying to you. If not, they must have a very interesting explanation for the numbers they claim. This is not 'accountability' as I understand it from a 'reform' perspective.

Would they be willing to let me come and look at their Geometry tests and Algebra II tests after they administer them next week?

Gary

From: Anonymous From HVA: The state’s data is inaccurate. For example, 90 students took the Geometry Regents in 2011 and 82% passed. The DOE has our data, but apparently didn’t send it on to the state. We’ll see what we can do to have that fixed. As for attrition, in our early years, we had attrition rates similar to the traditional public schools in the district which is currently about 22% for Harlem (District 5) (@http://www.newyorkcharters.org/documents/EmpiricalAnalysis-RetentionTargetsFINAL.xlsm). Next year the data will show we’re now at about 6%, ie we are exemplary when it comes to attrition. A 5th grade class of 73 (not 100) decreasing in size to 30 over 8 years is actually exemplary attrition. It implies an annual rate of 12% which is about half of what the district schools experience.
 * From: ** Gary Rubinstein

I do think that they have some impressive statistics, especially compared to other Harlem schools. But if this qualifies as a 'miracle' school (scalable or not), it is important to look at two things: 1) Attrition rate, and 2) Higher level courses.

For attrition, they have 100 5th graders whittled down to 30 12th graders. Yes, some of those kids maybe moved or even went on to private schools under scholarship, but it still is a big drop. (see attached AOR report). Then, when it comes to their regents scores (see attached CIR report), notice that they have exactly 0 students taking Geometry regents, and 0 taking Algebra II and Trigonometry. Keep in mind that many students, even ones in rough middle schools take the Algebra I regents in 8th grade. So how can they have zero students taking the regents that students are supposed to take in 10th and 11th grade?

If this school is doing better than average, and they have some secrets to help other schools get to where they are, that's great. But you''ve really got to look at all the data. Notice that in 2010 they did have students take those more advanced regents, but they didn't do so well on them -- it definitely hurt their 100% claim, so in 2011 they didn't let anyone take those harder tests. That really is the most logical explanation.

I am not trying to be a sourpuss here. These are just the facts.

EdWize compares attrition at HVA to District 5 http://www.edwize.org/middle-school-charters-show-alarming-student-attrition