Editorial: Please don't leave our children behind

Under a federal law regarding supplemental resources to improve educational standards in low performing schools, students throughout the city have an opportunity to participate in free after-school tutoring programs.

The No Child Left Behind Act, implemented earlier this year, is designed to give children in schools that receive Title 1 funding — federal money granted to schools in economically depressed neighborhoods that routinely do poorly on standardized reading and math tests — additional help.

The government feels that every child in America should receive a quality education and that they will do whatever is possible to ensure that. A novel idea, but there are problems. School districts throughout the country are scrambling to make parents aware of this educational opportunity.

New York is no different. With a November 15 enrollment deadline looming, some parents here have no idea that the free tutoring even exists. In Community School District 9 — one of the few districts in New York City that has held orientation meetings for parents, to its credit — the problems are even greater than just poor timing.

Along with one-third of the 1,100 public schools in New York City, most of the schools in District 9 are considered failing by state educational standards. Seventeen district schools are eligible for Title 1 funds. Many children have problems on both the English Language Arts exam as well as the math. Under the act, a child seeking help can only do so in either English or math, leaving many parents to make a tough decision.

Parents also have to figure out how their child will receive the tutoring. Many of the providers are outside of the community. While 19 education professionals, such as Pathways for Youth at 2931 Westchester Avenue — several miles from Highbridge — are listed as tutorial providers, none of them offer transportation to and from their facilities. Yes, in-home tutorials are available, but with fewer sessions.

In addition, many elementary school children would receive the extra help, and the thought of sending a seven-year-old on the 6 train to the upper Bronx is outrageous.

The Horizon is not disparaging any initiative designed to help the children of Highbridge achieve educational success. However, we feel that it would have been best if the program were tested first. All of the elements should be in place before presenting this to people who are eager to see academic improvement. This program is too important for chaos and confusion to bring it down.