The Alternative Press

After spending millions of educational dollars  on still  more failing test scores in the Paterson Public Schools, one needs to question why we are spending all this money on cronies from the Broad Foundation, Seton  Hall University, University of Pittsburgh, and do not forget the disgraced Shirley Miles, (all approved by Chris Cerf) the puppeteer Commissioner of Education.  

 

Paterson  schools did not need to spend all this money on Donnie Evan's  failed educational and political buddies  only to be    seriously disappointed with declining test scores. The out of town consultants made a bundle off the Paterson Schools, but failed to deliver improved test results.

 

As for the Paterson High School test scores on the (HSPT) Mr. Evans and his  administrators should hang  their heads in shame for failing to report almost three hundred Paterson students who were not given the opportunity to take the (HSPA) test.

 

Why?  Because they were low performing students who the Evans administration  believed could not take the (HSPT) exam.

 

Look at Eastside High School Academy of Government.  According to the Paterson Press,  over one third of those students failed to take  (HSPA)  test.  So please, Mr. Evans. Do not brag about pumped up test scores.You are not giving the people of Paterson the entire truth.

 

The  Paterson Board of Education needs to ask the Department of Education for a  "Full and Complete" investigation into this "Pumped Up" Test "Fiasco"and put a stop to this failed and very expensive "Educational Dud" of a plan that does not help our children. To paraphrase our school board president, " We have to get real.  Too many of our children are suffering!"

 

William A. Connolly

 

[Editor's note: William Connolly is a candidate in this year's school board election.]