City Schools Chancellor Scoffs At Suggestion Of Eliminating Summer School
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The New York City Schools Chancellor has responded to a report that suggests that it might be a good idea to scrap summer school this year to save money.
The Independent Budget Office said that if summer school is eliminated, New York City could save $28 million. But Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott doesn't think much of that idea at all.
1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported
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"Summer school is important, so I'm just ignoring that report," Walcott told 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria.
Last summer, 34,000 elementary and middle school students attended summer school. The Independent Budget Office suggested that kids who fail the state exam should retake it in June to try to pass it and avoid summer school. The agency believes that because the results of the state test don't come out until August, some kids are going to summer school who may not need it.
But the Department of Education says that would be too costly.
"The reality is that the students who are in summer school need summer school," Walcott said. "They're there to get to the next grade. Their parents want them to be there and they want to be there."
Should New York City eliminate summer school to save up to $28 million, or do you agree with Dennis Walcott that the idea is ridiculous? Sound off with your comments and thoughts below...
