New York’s poor neighborhoods lined with failing schools

Organizers of a massive rally demanding “bold transformational change” for struggling public schools released figures Tuesday showing that large swaths of poor neighborhoods are lined with failing schools.

City Council members in 17 of 51 districts have at least five schools where 10 percent or fewer students passed state English and math exams in 2013, according to an analysis by Families for Excellent Schools.

And 25 council members do not have a single school in their district that is closing the achievement gap between whites and minorities, the study found.

Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo (D-Bronx) had the highest number of failing schools — 20 — in her South Bronx district.

Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson (D-Bronx) was a close second, with 17 failing schools in her southwest Bronx district, while Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito represented an area with 15 failing schools in East Harlem and the South Bronx.

“The data show show few quality school options constituents in districts all across the city have,” said Jeremiah Kittredge, CEO of the advocacy group.

“That’s why we hope City Council members stand with 10,000 parents on Thursday to demand an end to our crisis of failing schools. For 50 years, we’ve tried incremental change and it hasn’t worked,” he added.

Supporters of charter schools and school reform are planning a huge rally in Foley Square Thursday to demand “bold transformational change” to upgrade the neediest schools.

So far, only five politicians have committed to attend: state Senate co-leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx); state Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. (D-Bronx); Assemblyman Karim Camara (D-Brooklyn); Assemblyman Marcos Crespo (D-Bronx); and Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez (D-Manhattan).

Candice Giove, a Klein spokeswoman, said he would be there in support of parents “who want to see bold educational changes that will give all New York City schoolchildren the quality education they deserve.”

A Families for Excellent Schools spokesman said invitations to council members went out Tuesday, but none had immediately responded.

The rally is scheduled to start at 9:15 a.m.

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