Thousands Failed More to Come

January 26, 2010: The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education voted to extend the contract of School Superintendent Dr. Joyce Levey. For those in the black community the question is what were they thinking. Under Dr. Levey there continues to be astronomical failure of black students who make up the majority to the student population. From 2005-2009 approximately 2630 black elementary students have failed reading and 3810 math compared to 120 white students failing reading and 246 failing math. There are nine elementary schools in the city system. 2 schools have failed black students at the same rate each year during the five year period; 2 schools show a small reduction in failure rate (-1% & -3%)'; the 5 remaining schools have increased the rate of failure of black students as much as 9%. In addition to this, under the Levey administration some 291 students left school with certificates not diplomas and approximately 700 dropped out. Why would you want more of the same in a system thats supposed to ensure education for all, 43% failure for black students yet less than 5% failure of whte students.?