By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Report cards are out for individual public schools in New York. The State Education Department reports achievement is rising but that a gap persists between white and minority students in the state's high schools.
New academic standards require passage of five Regents exams to earn a diploma. Figures released Wednesday show that Blacks and Hispanics significantly trail whites and other ethnic groups in overall rates of graduation and in achieving passing grades on Regents exams.
Education Commissioner Richard Mills said higher expectations by schools, more challenging curricula, and increased funding for high-needs districts will be needed to close the achievement gap.
Locally, the Wilson Central School District in Niagara County ranked number one among all Western New York schools for meeting the state's graduation standards. Eighty-nine percent of its students graduated last year with a Regents diploma.
Other districts with an 80 percent or above rate include Newfane, Hamburg, Starpoint, East Aurora, Clarence, Cheektowaga-Sloan and Williamsville.