Progress in the City Schools

The Post’s attempt to contrast the NYPD’s success and the state of the schools could not be more wrongheaded (“Good Cops, Bad Schools,” Editorial, Jan. 8). NYC’s schools are the most successful they have ever been. The facts:

The graduation rate is 70.5 percent, the highest it’s ever been.

The dropout rate the lowest on record.

College enrollment of NYC students is at 55 percent, the highest ever.

Test scores are increasing — and for the first time, our English test scores are better than is the statewide average.

Crime in schools is at historic lows, down 35 percent over five years.

Around 70,000 4-yearolds are in free, full-day pre-K — more than triple the number enrolled before this administration.

Record numbers of parents are involved in their children’s education.

The Post denies the success of NYC public schools because The Post doesn’t like how we are achieving it — pursuing equity and excellence for all, and working with dedicated teachers and principals.

We agree there’s a lot more work to do, and our schools are not in the place we need them to be. However, the facts clearly show we are moving in the right direction.

A great New Yorker once said everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. Carmen Fariña Chancellor, NYC Department of Education Manhattan