Big High Schools Go the Way of the Dinosaurs

New York City used to be home to the big, comprehensive high school. These legendary schools helped generate an image of the urban school as both diverse and exciting (think Fame) as well as chaotic and dangerous (think Lean on Me). But schools like Beach Channel, Columbus, and Jamaica High Schools, which served between three and four thousand students each, are now extinct.

On January 27th, the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP), made up of mayoral and borough president appointees, voted to close these and 17 other schools in the city.

The large high schools did not go down without a fight though. Previously, these decisions could occur without much public input, but when mayoral control of the schools was renewed last July, one change to the law was that the mayor and the PEP board needed to listen to the public regarding policy decisions. Consequently, before the vote, there were public hearings throughout the city regarding the school closings. Teachers, students, parents, principals, and alumni spoke on behalf of their dying schools. To no avail. After a meeting that lasted until 3am, the PEP board voted 9-4 to shut 19 schools down.

On the school closings, the mayor is quoted as saying, "Nostalgia is very nice, but nostalgia is not a reason to let a bunch of kids who we know are not getting a good education continue. The numbers are clear. This wasn't even close." If the schools were not performing, shouldn't we hail this decision? Not necessarily. As a policy decision, closing schools does not guarantee that better ones will replace them. There is no real evidence that this strategy works.

The small schools and charters that will likely replace the big high schools, for example, have not been an overwhelming success. Among the successful small schools, much of the gains can be attributed to the students who enroll, few of whom are special education students or English language learners. The large high schools served many of these students. Now that most have them will be shutting down, what will become of the small schools who will now be forced to serve all students? You do not need a PhD to figure this one out. In a few years we will see the city start closing the small schools, the very schools that serve the students the large high schools once did.

Instead of shutting down schools, we need to help teachers and students teach the students that come to their schools. This is a much tougher road, requiring investment of time and money that the city may not have right now. But, we need to end the cycle of failed reforms in urban schools. I call on urban districts to take the high road. Make the investments in your schools. Make them schools you would want your children to go to. Walk the walk.

Photo credit: Grassroots Education Movement