Preparing students for their next steps

EAST GREENBUSH -- Matt Mosca could have been one of the statistics that school districts don't like to report: a dropout.

But an innovative and intensive program at Columbia High School called Operation Graduation not only kept him in school, it also helped him prepare for college. The low-cost program places at-risk students in a small-class environment and uses online learning to supplement coursework. It is exactly the type of initiative that more schools may need to improve their graduation rates and get their students ready for life after high school. The program graduated its first class on Thursday.

"I didn't think I'd be here this year," said Mosca, who plans to study business at Hudson Valley Community College next year. "I'm just thinking about college and work."

This week, Mosca became one among hundreds of thousands of New York students to pick up their high school diplomas. Unlike Mosca, 18, the vast majority of them are not academically ready for the next step in their lives, according to a new measurement by the state Education Department .

For the first time, the department is bestowing upon schools a second graduation rate that measures the college and career readiness of those given a diploma. And the news is grim. A mere 36.7 percent are deemed college- and career-ready in a new measurement that takes into account student performance on math and English language arts Regents exams.

The move is part of a major push by the department to change the way New York educates its students, which includes new national academic standards and a more stringent teacher evaluation system. The local diploma, which is more heavily used by urban districts and minority students, is also being phased out in favor of the more rigorous Regents degree. Though the response to the new measurement was somewhat muted, or altogether ignored in some districts, it signals a profound shift in the expectations that will be required of future graduates.

"What we're trying to do is start a conversation across the state about the next generation of graduation requirements," Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch said this week. "We're starting to set the target higher."

The new requirements were developed after research found three-quarters of New York City's high school graduates needed basic remedial help in college, Tisch said. Less than a quarter of those who enrolled in a 2-year degree program actually completed it within six years.

Church of Christ Plans Christmas New York City - Troy Pennysaver

Because of local popular demand, the Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) of Canton will be sponsoring a New York City Sights and Sounds (dining and shopping or walking tour) and Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular (79th Anniversary Edition) Trip on Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

Bonnie L. Browning is the host minister and David B. Morris is the tour director / leader. The number of buses depends on the number of reservations received by Friday, July 1, 2011.

Schedule for the trip includes the following: 4:30 a.m.: Bus departs from Towanda-Wysox Area… Parking Area of the Citizens and Northern Bank, Monroeton, Pa.; 5:00 a.m. Bus departs from the Parking Area (Canton Street) of the First United Methodist Church, Troy, Pa.;.5:30 a.m. Bus departs from the Parking Area (Corner of East Union Street and North Minnequa Avenue) of the Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ), Canton, Pa.; 6:30 a.m. Bus departs from the Sunoco Gas Service Center, Foy Avenue, Williamsport, Pa.; 7:00 a.m. Breakfast Stop at the Country Cupboard, Restaurant, Lewisburg, Pa.; Noon – Arrive in New York City (approximately four hours of shopping and sightseeing); 4:00 p.m. Enter Radio City Music Hall (Meet at the Time-Life Building Fountains; 5:00 p.m. – 2011 Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular (79th Anniversary Edition) Radio City Music Hall; 6:30 p.m. – Depart from Radio City Music Hall; 8:30 p.m. – Supper Stop at the Mall Food Court, Rockaway, NJ; 9:30 p.m. -Sleep; 11:30 p.m. – Arrive in Williamsport; Midnight – Arrive in Canton; 12:30 a.m. – Arrive in Troy; 1:00 a.m. – Arrive in Towanda-Wysox.

Also, a possibility of a Sullivan County route (Towanda/Wysox, New Albany, Dushore, Laporte, and Hughesville) exists if there is a sufficient need and response. Transportation will be provided by Sharaton Bus Company, Dushore, Pa. (Coaches – Air Conditioned and Rest Room Equipped and Video Screens).

The Cost is $140 per person and includes Round Trip Bus Transportation and Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular (79th Anniversary Edition), Main Floor Orchestra Seats with free Popcorn and free Soda as well as a free Walking Tour (if desired) which includes the possibility of the following: Rockefeller Center Shopping Area, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Saks Fifth Avenue Department Store, Grand Central Station, Subway Ride (extra money), Empire State Building (extra money), Macy’s Department Store and Times Square.

The revised laws and ordinances of the City of Troy, to which are prefixed the act incorporating the City of Troy and the several acts of the Legislature of the State of New York, amending and altering the same and the laws of the state relative to the city of Troy : revised in 1838

Charter of and laws relating to the city of Troy, as amended at the close of the legislative session of 1906

The ordinances of the city of Troy, and the several acts of the legislature of the state of New York, relative to the city of Troy : passed since 1838, collected and published

New York supplement

Who's who in New York (city and state).