This week, the New York Department of Education listed 40 schools in the city as “persistently dangerous.” This was determined by the number of violent incidents vs. the total student population. Of those schools, 17 are in Brooklyn, making it the highest concentration of “dangerous” schools in any borough; 11 of the schools are located in the Bronx.
Only 25 NYC schools were on the list released last year. There is disagreement about what the higher number means. A spokesperson for state education told the Huffington Post that he “[does] not believe that schools are more dangerous now,” but that reporting has improved. DOE spokeswoman Marge Feinberg believes schools have actually gotten safer, citing the decreased number of arrests and suspensions.
The AP reported yesterday that the state has not yet delivered on nearly $5 billion of funds promised to schools in 2011, 78% of which is owed to poorer districts. (Image: PS 190 In Brooklyn Via Google Maps)
