With nearly nine out of every ten African American and Latino students in Albany failing the state’s 8th grade reading and math tests,(13) it is understandable that many become frustrated and drop out of school. Naysayers may assert that these children cannot be “saved,” let alone be prepared to attend the nation’s top colleges and universities.   Attempting to justify these low expectations, such critics cite the prevalence of low-income families, single-parent households and other demographic factors in which these children are raised.  One thing is certain, however: these teenagers will not be saved if all that is offered them is more of the same type of public education that has already failed them. Green Tech High is proposing an all-boys school in order to effectively serve Albany’s most challenged high school student population.

 

Research confirms that young men, particularly minorities, are the most educationally at-risk.  Dr. Cornelius Riordan, an educational researcher and professor of sociology at Providence College, noted that: “…Boys are less likely than girls to be in an academic (college-preparatory) curriculum.  They have lower educational and occupational expectations, have lower reading and writing test scores, and expect to complete their schooling at an earlier age.”(14)  The U.S. General Accounting Office found that urban males benefit from single-sex schools: “Many educators are convinced of the value of single-gender settings for urban minority males.  Several program officials…reported improved test scores, better attendance, or improved behavior among students in single-gender settings.”(15)  This is supported by Dr. Riordan’s research in which he found that the performance of African-American and Hispanic students in single-sex schools is stronger on all tests, with scores, on average, almost one academic year above that of their peers in coeducational settings.(16)

 

The success of “no excuses”-type high schools such as KIPP (Houston, TX and Gaston, NC), Academy of the Pacific Rim (Boston, MA), Noble Street (Chicago, IL), YES College Preparatory School (Youth Engaged in Service, Houston, TX), and MATCH (Media and Technology Charter High School, Boston, MA) have shown irrefutably that potentially negative demographic factors can be overcome by well-designed schools that combine innovative educational approaches, longer instructional time, high academic standards, and strong behavioral expectations.

 

Drawing from the best practices of these successful small schools, Green Tech High will provide a high-quality alternative for the students most at risk of falling between the cracks.   To ensure that each of its students attain mastery in the fundamental subjects of English language arts and mathematics, Green Tech High will offer two hours of instruction in composition and literature daily; 90 minutes of math instruction daily; and will set-aside substantial time each day for tutoring and other instructional assistance such as "ZAP" period (learn more) and Special Education staff support.  All students will receive weekly instruction in preparing presentations and in public speaking.  Students also will be able to contact their teachers at any time, seven days a week, via cell phone for help with homework or other issues.  This level of direct interaction is unheard of in Albany’s district schools.