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March 4, 2004

A model for success

The failure of most urban public schools to provide a quality education has become a national disgrace. As might be expected, most professional educators are reluctant to assume responsibility for the problem. Although it is not politically correct to assert so openly, there is an unspoken belief that African Americans and Latinos lack the capacity, either culturally or genetically, to perform at the highest academic standards.

With so many distractions competing for the attention of students, the educational process has become more difficult today. For black and Latino students from low-income families it is even more challenging to stay focused on academic success. Nonetheless, in a number of cities some schools have found a way to succeed.

In Boston, the students of Roxbury Preparatory Charter School have turned in a stellar performance on the state MCAS tests. Roxbury Prep has 180 students in grades 6-8. All of the students are black or Latino and 56 percent qualify for free or reduced price lunch. Roxbury Prep has a rigorous program of reading, writing, math, science and speaking to prepare students for college preparatory high schools.

At Roxbury Prep, the only acceptable standard on the MCAS tests is proficient and advanced. On last year’s MCAS, 58 percent of the 8th grade students attained that level on the science exam. At the Boston Latin School, an exam school for academically talented students, only 53 percent of the students achieved that level of performance. Roxbury Prep also outscored Brookline (49 percent), Harvard (49 percent) and Marblehead (49 percent).

Sixth grade students at Roxbury Prep had the highest percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced (76 percent) of any Boston Public School in the math test. They outscored Concord (64 percent), Weston (66 percent) and Newton (72 percent).

The improvement of Roxbury Prep students from the 4th grade math exam attests to the effectiveness of the school’s curriculum. While 27 percent of those who took the MCAS math test in the 4th grade failed, none failed in the 6th grade and 81 percent of those who took the test in the 4th grade scored proficient or advanced in the 6th grade.

In the 7th grade English language arts MCAS test, 82 percent of Roxbury Prep students scored proficient or advanced and 58 percent performed at that level in the 8th grade math exam.

So much for the assertion, albeit tacit, that African American and Latino children are congenitally learning impaired. What is clearly apparent is that John King and Josh Phillips, co-directors or Roxbury Prep, have found a way to turn lead into gold. Or most probably it was always gold that needed little more than the appropriate crucible.

Roxbury Prep is not an exam school like Boston Latin and Latin Academy. Students apply and are chosen by lottery. However, parents who want their children to begin the arduous process toward academic excellence must be aware that they will play a major role in supporting and encouraging their children.

It must be noted that Roxbury Prep was able to turn failure to proficiency in only two years. This indicates that the rate of academic improvement in the city’s public schools can be accelerated. With proficiency as a standard and the support of the community, it is possible to transform the Boston schools into a system that produces academic stars.

 

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