Troubled Schools Miss Mark

by Todd Silberman - July 20th, 2006 - The News and Observer

North Carolina's lowest-performing high schools failed to make enough progress last year to escape a state judge's threats of penalties as stiff as replacing their principals or shutting down the schools.

None of the 17 schools, including Durham's Hillside and Southern, topped an overall passing rate of 55 percent on state exams, which means that state and local education leaders are under intense pressure to help the schools improve.

Judge Howard Manning Jr., who is overseeing the state's response to a court ruling on school quality, issued an ultimatum in March: Unless the schools exceeded the 55 percent passing rate, he would order them closed if their principals were not replaced and specific reform measures imposed. All of the schools had been below 55 percent for the four previous years.

Manning has set a hearing for Aug. 18 to review the state's plans to rescue the troubled schools.

Bertie County was a part of those covered by Manning's letter to the governor so it is probably safe to think that Bertie County is still among those at risk. Clearly Mannning's August 18th meeting, mentioned in the article, will be an important day for our students.

The Bertie County Board of Education has called a special meeting for Monday at 10:00 AM without announcing the reason. It is possible Manning's meeting is the reason. The Patriot blogs will be covering whatever happens.