ALBANY, N.Y. Jan. 12, 2012 - Schools in New York state continue to rank among the best in the nation, according to the highly respected Education Week magazine.
In its annual "Quality Counts" report released today, New York schools ranked third in the U.S., behind only Maryland and Massachusetts. In each of the six education indicators used for the rankings - chance for success; K-12 achievement; standards, assessments and accountability; teaching profession; school finance analysis; and transitions and alignment - education in New York met or exceeded the national average. Overall, New York received a "grade" of "B;" the national average was "C."
"Ed Week's 'Quality Counts' report once again recognizes the successes achieved by New York's hard-working and dedicated educators," said New York State United Teachers President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "While there is much work that still needs to be done, this ranking, right up there with the best, validates what has already been achieved."
"Quality Counts" was released the day after the announcement of two other indicators that public education in New York is on the right track:
CNBC issued a report showing that education in New York was tops in the nation in 2011. The television network, which specializes in business reporting, looked at the state's educated pool of workers; colleges and universities; research and development partnerships; and K-12 schools as a quality of life issue for employees.
More than 100 students from across the state were named semi-finalists in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search, the nation's most prestigious pre-college science competition. New York students represent approximately one-third of all the semi-finalists.
"Educators in New York are committed to ensuring that our children succeed," said NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira. "These rankings - presented without the taint of politics or ideology - demonstrate that, despite what some naysayers claim, we're doing a good job and the students in our state are the benefactors. It's time we start celebrating our schools."
NYSUT, the state's largest union, represents more than 600,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.