VOA标准英语2008年-New York City's Public Schools Are Learning a L

With nearly 1.2 million children, the New York City public school system is the largest in the nation. Until recently, the Big Apple had one of the worst per capita high school dropout¹ rates in the country, especially in the city's low-income neighborhoods. VOA's Adam Phillips has an end-of-the-school year look at how one school is turning around.

The day is early but the energy is high in the immense Depression-era building that once housed the Evander Childs High School in the Bronx. But this month, the last of Evander's seniors will graduate and the school will pass into history.
　
Bronx High School of Writing and the Communication Arts Principal Steven Chernigoff proudly poses with some of his students

That's a good thing, says Steven Chernigoff, principal of The Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts, one of six specialized² schools of about 400 students each that have now taken their place in the building. "Evander Childs High School was one of the worst schools in the city," says Chernigoff. "It was really just a disaster." In addition to its reputation for violence, Evander was known for its overcrowding; average class size approached 40 students. In contrast, the new schools replacing it average only 25 pupils per classroom.
　
High School of Computers and Technology Principal Bruce Abramowitz says the key advantage to smaller schools is personalized education

Each of these smaller schools has a different focus. In addition to the school for writing and communications arts, there are schools for aerospace³ science, health careers, contemporary arts, a so-called "lab school", and an academy devoted⁴ to computers and technology. Its principal, Bruce Abramowitz, says that, unlike Evander, which was built on an old "factory" model, all these schools share a dedication⁵ to understanding the individual student. "[That means] everything the student comes to the table with, including family problems they may have and life at home - and closing those gaps that kids fall through." When asked whether this strategy is working, Abramowitz replies unhesitatingly in the affirmative.

The statistics bear him out. Six years ago, only three out of ten Evander students graduated. Today, the graduation rate at Abramowitz's school and the other five academies is between 70 and 80 percent.

According to Principal Steven Chernigoff, to get those results, it was not enough to simply divide the old mega-school by six. Rather, entirely⁶ new schools had to be created, each with its own mission and staff. In other words, he says, "the culture" had to be changed. "So you start a new school from scratch with just a group of ninth graders. And all the adults know all of the kids by name, all of the parents, and all of the families, [and there is] strong academic and social and emotional support."

Chernigoff adds that in smaller schools like his, "every child knows there is an adult who knows my name, there is a support structure that is there for me and will not let me fail and will keep supporting me for four years."

That formula seems to satisfy 17-year-old Marquis, who was dissatisfied and failing in the old Evander. "Before I started here, I was a very bad student. I didn't do work. I didn't even go to school." When asked what made the difference for him, Marquis praised the teachers. "I connected with them, and the work was easy and it was fun."
　
Mindy's literacy skills and her joy in expressing herself through poetry have blossomed in her new school

Mindy, a 14-year-old student at the school, is proud of a writing competition she has won, and eager to share her newest work, "Ode to Midnight," with a reporter.

… Ode to midnight so dark and so silent.
Those beautiful white eyes,
Millions in the count.
They open at the close of day and
They close at the opening.
Ode to you, when the midnight moon is
The heart of the sky…"

Literacy and effective communication skills are crucial elements of a good education. But students must also prepare for life after graduation. That's why each of these academies offers internships in real-life work settings in Manhattan, a short subway ride away. All students must also pass statewide academic examinations in order to graduate.

Principal Chernigoff is confident that his students are being effectively educated in these schools. "Kids deserve to have great schools and a great education that will prepare them for success in the future… and they have not had that for a very long time."

Graduation exercises at the Bronx High School for Writing and Communication Arts and the other five academies that have replaced the old Evander Childs High School are taking place this month.

 

1 dropout   

n.退学的学生；退学；退出者

参考例句：

• There is a high dropout rate from some college courses.有些大学课程的退出率很高。
• In the long haul,she'll regret having been a school dropout.她终归会后悔不该中途辍学。

2 specialized   

adj.专门的，专业化的

参考例句：

• There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations.联合国有许多专门机构。
• These tools are very specialized.这些是专用工具。

3 aerospace   

adj.航空的，宇宙航行的

参考例句：

• The world's entire aerospace industry is feeling the chill winds of recession.全世界的航空航天工业都感受到了经济衰退的寒意。
• Edward Murphy was an aerospace engineer for the US Army.爱德华·墨菲是一名美军的航宇工程师。

4 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

5 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。

6 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。