Institute for Education and Social Policy, Steinhardt School of Education, New York University
December 2001
New York University's Institute for Education and Social Policy prepared this five-year report on the Annenberg Challenge in New York, to which it gives high marks. The study finds somewhat stronger attendance in the Annenberg-aided schools than in regular New York City public schools serving similar youngsters; slightly more stable enrollments; a smaller fraction of ESL and special ed students in the Annenberg schools; significantly smaller schools and less experienced teachers (bear in mind, though, that the Annenberg Challenge in New York focused on starting and supporting networks of small new schools); a mixed picture with respect to test scores (better than comparison schools but still below the citywide average, which itself is notably weak); and another mixed picture with regard to school completion and graduation rates. The authors work hard to declare the Annenberg-assisted schools a success. They only succeed moderately well in making this case. Their bullish findings are somewhat more persuasive concerning qualitative and process indicators such as school climate, curricular focus and individualized attention. You can see for yourself by downloading the PDF version from http://www.nyu.edu/iesp/publications/reports/NYNSRFinalReport.PDF. Interested readers may also want to reacquaint themselves with Ray Domanico's examination of the Annenberg Challenge program in New York City, prepared for this foundation and available at http://www.edexcellence.net/detail/news.cfm?news_id=41.
