According to data released by A+ Schools, the percentage of seniors in Pittsburgh Public schools with a grade point average sufficient to qualify for Promise scholarship funds has fallen for three years straight years, dipping to 48% in 2014 from 58% in 2012.
Moreover, enrollment in Pittsburgh High Schools has plunged 12% since 2010. Thus, not only has the percentage of seniors qualifying for Promise dollars dropped but the class size has also been moving lower. What a disaster for the Promise program. Not only is it not causing enrollment to rise but cannot even stop its decline.
Then too, the average academic performance of students has gotten much worse. And what’s worse still, the mediocre grade point average required to qualify for Promise funds was already laughably low. SAT scores remain appallingly bad as do the scores on statewide achievement exams in most Pittsburgh High School other than the magnets and Allderdice.
The basic tenet of the Promise program was to improve academic performance and to boost enrollment. Neither of which is happening. No wonder the Program has expanded its offerings to kids to attend trade schools. That could involve lowering the already low qualifications to receive money.
All one need to do is look at the horrendous attendance figures at the City’s high schools and the disciplinary problems to understand why education is a failure at most schools. Where students are missing 30% of classes or more, what can one expect? They simply are not serious about education. No amount of tax dollars or scholarship promises can fix that problem. Another approach is needed and needed fast.
We warned several years ago that dangling free money in front of students could have a perverse effect. That is, if little is required to get the money, it could lead to reduced effort by some who feel they are entitled and so why push hard to get a 3.0 GPA or better when 2.5 will do? Or why not coast until the last couple of semesters and then work to get to the qualifying GPA? Of course, those arguments were dismissed out of hand by the Promise proponents.
It must be said again and as many times as necessary. Take half of the Promise money and make it available as scholarships to Pittsburgh’s K-12 students who want to get out of the failing public schools—even if it means forfeiting claims to college aid from the Promise Program. The damage done to kids who want to learn but cannot because of the lack of discipline and attitudes of other students in the failing schools is unforgivable. A society tolerating such damage needs to examine its values.
