By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Fifty-five school districts in New York, including Buffalo's, have signed Contracts for Excellence that will bring them increased state aid in return for more accountability. More than $425 million is going to 1,500 of the state's neediest schools to improve student performance.
For much of this decade, funding for public schools in New York has been going up each year. But student performance has lagged behind. State Education Commissioner Richard Mills explains that's because there were two conversations going on -- one about money and the other on achievement. But Mills says state leaders, including a new governor, changed that to one conversation.
Mills was joined in Buffalo Monday by Governor Eliot Spitzer and other educational leaders from across New York to talk about the new Contracts for Excellence. Spitzer said 16 Buffalo schools that are under state review are receiving extra funding. He says they've agreed to lengthen their school days and year.
School districts that fail to see improvement in student performance will have intervention teams appointed to review how the extra funding is being spent. Board of Regents Chancellor Robert Bennett of Tonawanda said the accountability is key.
At Buffalo's Grabiarz School of Excellence Monday, Bennett had a group of students -- all clad in school uniforms -- stand, telling them, "you're the reason we're here."