ALBANY, N.Y. (January 21, 2010) – The City School District of Albany is accelerating its work to restructure Albany High School following the State Education Department's announcement that the school is among New York state’s “persistently lowest-achieving” high schools and has been identified for intervention, said Interim Superintendent Raymond Colucciello, Ed.D.

 

State Education Commissioner David M. Steiner, Ph.D., said Albany High was identified because of the school’s lagging performance in math and English language arts (ELA). Albany High failed to meet its Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) targets in both subjects for five consecutive years, and as a result now is designated in Restructuring, Year 1.

 

“While this development sends a sobering message to us all about our urgent responsibility to raise the achievement of all students, the need for significant improvement at Albany High is not news to us,” Dr. Colucciello said. “We look forward to working with the State Education Department and our community to rebuild Albany High’s educational structure in line with our school district’s mission to educate and nurture all students to successfully compete in the global community.”

 

Restructuring Albany High is a key element in the district’s strategic plan, “A Vision for Tomorrow,” which was developed in 2008 by the Board of Education, district staff and community partners. Important parts of that work are underway through the Alternative Education Think Tank and the district’s efforts to secure a $9.5 million magnet grant to develop small learning communities.

 

In December, more than 800 people responded to an online survey about the future of Albany High, one of several tools the district is planning to get community feedback about restructuring the high school. Three public forums on the issue are scheduled in March. A high school restructuring committee also has been meeting monthly since November.

 

Albany High’s Academy of Engineering, in its first year, is an example of the district’s efforts to create new, more effective learning environments that better support and prepare students for success. Albany High is one of just 33 high schools nationally offering the academy.

 

Dr. Colucciello also noted the district’s recent progress in raising student achievement at the elementary and middle-school levels. Over the past two years, more than 40 percent more students in grades 3-8 have achieved Level 3 or Level 4 on both the state math and ELA exams, and every elementary and middle school attained its state benchmarks in 2008-09 for the first time.

 

Albany High is a Capital Region leader in advanced coursework and was recognized in 2009 as one of America’s top 1,500 high schools in annual rankings compiled by Newsweek and The Washington Post. Albany High is one of only two area high schools offering the prestigious International Baccalaureate program, along with Schenectady High School. Albany High also is among the area’s leaders in Advanced Placement courses.

 

“However, much work remains, and we recognize and acknowledge that we must do a better job serving the needs of all students,” said first-year Albany High School Principal David C. McCalla, Ph.D.

 

The district’s next step as a result of State Ed's announcement will be to present a restructuring plan to Commissioner Steiner, choosing one of four options:

• Redesign or replace the school

• Transform the school using a rigorous and equitable evaluation system for teachers and principals that rewards those who increase student achievement and identifies or removes those who, after ample professional development, have not increased student achievement

• Convert the school to a charter school

• Close the school and transfer students to higher-performing schools in the district.

While all options will be considered, some likely will be easier to rule out, Dr. Colucciello said, noting that the option to close the school is primarily intended for much larger school districts such as New York City, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, which have multiple high schools.

 

Once a plan is approved, the district will begin implementation immediately and would be eligible for State Fiscal Stabilization and federal School Improvement Grant funding.

 

“It will not be business as usual for Albany,” Dr. Colucciello said. “Change, especially the deep systemic change this will require, can be difficult. But it is critical for our students, families and entire community that we work together to meet this challenge.”