HELEN M.

MARSHALL
PRESIDENT

(718) 286-3000 web site: www.queensbp.org e-mail: info@queensbp.org

CITY OF NEW YORK

OFFICE OF THE

PRESIDENT OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS

120-55 QUEENS BOULEVARD KEW GARDENS, NEW YORK 11424-1015

February 15, 2012

Dr. John King Jr., Commissioner New York State Education Department 89 Washington Avenue Albany, New York 12234 Dear Commissioner King, I am writing to express my deep concern about New York City Department of Educations (DOE) recent request to change eight Queens high schools recently identified as Transformation and Restart Schools to Turnaround schools. This proposal will impact more than 21,000 students. At a meeting at Queens Borough Hall on Monday February 13, 2012, more than one hundred stake holders testified about the disruption and chaos that this proposal would create. Students, parents and teachers all spoke as one voice about the optimism they felt in September 2011 when these eight high schools began to implement an approved DOE improvement plan. There was a sense of community and vision that energized the schools. The news that these support systems may be terminated was shocking and disheartening. As we know, seeds that are sown take time to germinate and produce fruit. Here in Queens, we are very proud of our schools. In fact since being designated Persistently Low Performing many of the high schools have improved their graduation rates dramatically. This focus on student achievement and graduation rates must continue. However, the turnaround model which includes closing schools, renaming schools, and rehiring 50% of the teachers is not the key to student success. I urge you to reject the City Department of Educations application to implement the Turnaround model in eight Queens high schools and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

HELEN M. MARSHALL President Borough of Queens