Happy Days: P.S. 8 Gets an “A”

By on September 3, 2009 10:46 am in Brooklyn Heights

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The Department of Education has issued its school grades and Brooklyn Heights’ P.S. 8 is has received an “A” after being granted a very controversial “F” in last year’s report and a “C” in 2007.  Read the full DOE report here.

NY Post: At PS 8, one of 10 schools that boomeranged from F last year to A this year, yesterday’s test results offered relief.

“I don’t think [last year’s F] was necessarily a good measure of accountability,” Seth Phillips, principal at the beloved school in Brooklyn Heights, said. “We’re a nice community, the people work hard, and we were insulted.

“We’ve done the same work and put in the same effort [to get an A],” said Phillips.

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  • ABC

    While I’m delighted for PS8, I read in the Times yesterday that 97% of the city’s schools received an A or a B. I think the IDEA of tracking students performance AND improvement is a good one, but this current system is a multi-million dollar failure.

  • Still Proud PS8 Parent

    ABC – You nailed it! Just wondering if all of those horrible naysayers who called for Seth Phillips resignation last year are going to wish to school well now.

  • promenade

    ugh…does this mean the cult of ps 8 parents that constantly recite the graces of the school and barrage everyone within listening distance with how terrific the school is – are now NEVER going to relent? sorry, but i just didn’t drink the koolaid…

  • Still Proud PS8 Parent

    We didn’t want the attention in the first place – that was the media’s fault. And it’s not a cult. We just feel very fortunate to have NYC finest public education at our doorsteps.

  • http://brooklynheightsblog.com Qfwfq

    I think this just further underscores the screwball nature of the DOE’s methodology for grading schools.

  • promenade

    still proud – see? you can’t stop!

  • Still Proud PS8 Parent

    Promenade – are you bitter because you write large tuition checks to private schools?

  • ABC

    I hope someday my list of concerns/gripes is so short I’ll have room to include “people proud of local public school.” My gosh.

  • promenade

    ABC – I have no problem with people proud of their local public school or private school…I have a problem who can’t stop talking about their school (public or private) and, unfortunately, many ps8 parents fall into this category…
    and still proud – no check writing so not bitter!

  • nabeguy

    promenade, there are 3 words that usually work in that situation: change the subject. (4, if you want to add “please”
    97% A or B rating…anybody else smell election-year flop-sweat in those numbers?

  • tb

    Promenade… do you hate little dogs too?

  • promenade

    tb – is that suppose to be related or funny? I don’t really hate. Going a little overboard on a topic that you haven’t even entered?

  • tb

    Prominade… you seem a little bitter. I agree with PS8 parent.

  • nabeguy

    “FOCUS, PLEASE” Can we drop the discussion of PS 8 parents and promenade’s animosity towards them? Does anyone have an opinion about the grade itself and what it represents?

  • John

    This must have been the the biggest curve ever !
    looks like the Mayor manipulated these DOE scores !

  • tb

    The A grade doesn’t mean a lot since most schools got one. I am however a very proud PS8 parent and will keep my children (and puppies) away from the likes of the curmudgeon Prominade

  • Truman

    nabeguy: the grade represents a big fat lie, like most things these days. Parents (and people) are more concerned with perception rather than reality, so they lobby (just like Dock Street) to have their children get good grades (even if they haven’t earned it), the school gets a high grade (making the parents feel that they’re doing right by their little ugly duckling), the students get promoted, the teacher gets a bonus, the mayor pats himself on the back, and property values increase. But none of it’s real and eventually the truth proves out and little Tyler and Tamika don’t know how to add or read or write, and Brown and Cornell reject them and then the lobbying starts all over again. Glad I was here to sort that out for all of you.

    http://www.nypost.com/seven/09052009/news/regionalnews/school_bonus_babies_188234.htm

    reading list:
    http://www.amazon.com/Left-Back-Century-Battles-School/dp/0743203267/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1252164515&sr=8-1

  • nabeguy

    Gee Truman, thanks for schooling me. How could I have been so naive? As both a PS 8 parent and alumnus, I’d be the first to say that my opinion on the subject might be a tad skewed, but your cyncicsm is shocking even by my standards. The fact that you post a link to a New York Lost article is reason enough to question not only your objectivity, but your sanity as well. Your opinions are about as out of date as your post-name.

  • Truman

    I apologize, nabeguy, for so clearly striking your knee-jerk reactionary liberal nerve center. It must be very painful for such a thin skin. Also, Truman is actually my name, unlike you, who hide behind “nabeguy.” How very progressive of you.

  • Kim L.

    Hi I’m a journalism student at NYU and would like to write a story about the A that PS 8 got this year. I read all your messages above and sounds like some of you have really strong feelings on both sides. I want to focus on whether or not the general public thinks the school is deserving of the grade or if the grade was undermined by the fact that a good majority of schools got an A or B. In addition i’m writing about the need Brooklyn Heights has for more middle school options. Please post a message if you are interested in contributing to my article. I would love to talk to anyone whose willing and it would give any of you who have strong opinions a chance to vent and possible get your thoughts published. thanks