A Coney Island elementary school, PS 188 Michael E. Berdy, is experiencing significant challenges, with 60% of students chronically absent and 60% failing standardized math and reading tests. Teachers are advocating for a shift to career and technical education in response to these issues. The school has $2 million in technology equipment stored away, which has raised concerns among educators and parents alike.
Nicole Beatty, a parent at the school, expressed frustration over her children's experiences, citing bullying and academic struggles. She emphasized the importance of addressing the reasons behind the students' failures. Community members are advocating for a curriculum change to include K-8 education and a focus on innovative thinking and project-based learning to enhance student engagement and attendance.
Last school year, out of 233 enrolled students, 167 were classified as chronically absent, missing at least 18 days of school. This rate is nearly double the citywide average of 33%. In terms of academic performance, only 40% of students passed state standardized reading exams, and 42% passed math exams, both below the citywide averages.
The student body primarily consists of economically disadvantaged children, with a significant portion coming from nearby public housing projects. Parents are calling for accountability and collaboration between families and the school to improve attendance and academic outcomes. Some parents have reported that additional support, such as tutoring, has positively impacted their children's grades.
Despite the challenges, the city Department of Education has not provided comments on the situation, and PS 188's principal and district superintendent also declined to comment. However, the school's Comprehensive 2025-2026 Education Plan acknowledges the issues of chronic absenteeism and low test scores, outlining strategies to address these challenges, including partnerships with local organizations and targeted interventions for struggling students.
The school has implemented a three-tiered intervention system and family workshops to promote attendance. Additionally, the Department of Education is appointing attendance liaisons to help reduce chronic absenteeism across all schools. PS 188 plans to enhance its instructional methods to support students with reading comprehension and math skills, particularly for those facing language barriers or special needs. Jay Brown, chairman of Community Education Council 21, noted the ongoing efforts to address the school's performance issues and acknowledged the need for continued improvement.