The city of Buffalo is trying to assist with various programs and funding to help the ailing Buffalo Public Schools. WBFO's Eileen Buckley says Buffalo is providing programs for "at-risk-youth" and more financial support.
"We are very concerned about the test scores and we continue to work to support the school district in every way that we can," said Mayor Byron Brown.
Brown reacting to last week's low standardized test scores for third through eight graders in Buffalo Public Schools.
The city has been trying to contribute to help aid improvements at the schools. It included new funding this year to help the school district boost student attendance rates.
"In our budget this year we're funding new attendance teachers and a truancy officer, to make sure children are in school so they can learn," said Brown.
The city doled out about $171,000 this year to pay two attendance teachers. Efforts to boost attendance could be starting to work. The District reported a slight increase this year compared to last. It rose from 89.3% to 90.6%.
The city also hosts a Friday night program for "at-risk-youth" to help Buffalo students.
"One of the things that we focus on is youth staying in school, youth working hard in school where not only do we provide youth with basketball instruction, but we provide them with life skills," said Mayor Brown. "And mentors and role models that come in and talk about the importance of making good choices."
The schools drop out rate has also decreased from a little more than 30% in 2011 to about 23% in 2013.