By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Three Buffalo schools were added to and one was removed from the state's SURR list -- Schools Under Registration Review.
There are now 66 schools in New York on the list of the state's most seriously failing schools. Eleven of them are in Buffalo.
The three local schools added to the list are the Native American Magnet School, Bennett High School and Grover Cleveland High School. But Buffalo Schools spokesman Andrew Maddigan said the two high schools are on the list only because of poor results in last June's controversial Math A Regents exam.
"We don't believe any school should be penalized for student performance on a test that the state has admitted was flawed," Maddigan said.
But a State Education Department spokesman said the schools' math performance was based on four years of performance, during which time students could retake the exam several times.
One Buffalo school was removed from the SURR list -- the Poplar Academy. Student test scores at Poplar had improved in eighth grade math and English. Maddigan gave credit to the hard work and commitment of teachers, administrators, parents and students.
"It was a difficult task that took more than three years," Maddigan said. "It was diligent work on their part and they're to be commended for it."
Schools on the failing list receive intensive help, guidance and funding to improve performance or they face closure.
"The school accountability that has come about through the SURR process has been successful in improving or, where necessary, closing and reorganizing many schools," said Education Commissioner Richard Mills.