City Public Schools Get Passing Grade

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A community organization gave the Pittsburgh Public Schools a passing grade, but said there is still a lot of work to be done.

This is the sixth straight year A Plus Schools has taken a look inside Pittsburgh Public Schools. This year, their report finds that there has been progress, but it's not nearly enough.

A 2010 report on school progress in Pittsburgh, found more students scoring higher in reading and math.

Carey Harris, executive director of A Plus Schools, said that Pittsburgh Public Schools' scores are increasing as fast, if not faster, as the state of Pennsylvania.

Yet, the achievement gap remains.

However, since 2006, the achievement gap between black and whites is closing very slowly.

There are still problems in the high schools, especially among 11th graders.

Harris explained that the challenges come with unprepared students, poverty and challenges with the way the schools are run.

Board Chairman of A Plus Schools, Sula Udin, expressed concern specifically with the progress of black males.

While the gap has decreased, it could take 40 years to eliminate the achievement gap.

"We don't have 40 or 50 years to get this right," Udin said.

Pittsburgh Public Schools' Superintendent, Mark Roosevelt, agrees that there is a lot of work to be done, and believes that progress will come with hiring the best teachers.

Since Roosevelt is leaving the district, this challenge of closing the achievement gap will belong to someone else.