Slow Death examines New York City's policy of closing large failing high schools through the lens of one of its most notorious: Washington Irving. The school suffered both high crime and poor academic performance and like many others was slated to close in 2015.

The book is both a personal journey and an analytical tome. It examines the school's struggles to improve, its failures, its ultimate dissolution, and the associated costs in social capital.

It addresses the sociological tensions which brought many urban schools to the same fate. And it looks at the effectiveness of the policies which upended the large-school model during Michael Bloomberg's tenure as mayor.

Ernest Oliveri retired from the New York City Department of Education in 2020. He holds a BA in philosophy from Fordham University and an MA and PhD in international relations from NYU. He taught as a visiting and adjunct professor of government in various universities from 1988 until 1993 when he switched gears to pursue a career in public secondary education. He is the author of Latin American Debt and the Politics of International Finance, (Praeger, 1992).

Key Features

  • Slow Death provides a comprehensive examination of New York City's policy of shutting down large failing high schools, focusing on Washington Irving as a primary case study. This school, known for its significant challenges in crime and academic performance, represents the broader issues faced by similar institutions across city.

  • The book intertwines personal stories with analytical insights, offering readers a multi-dimensional view of the school's decline, its efforts to reform, and its eventual closure. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of the human impact resulting from the city’s policy decisions.

  • Slow Death delves into the sociological forces that have led numerous urban schools down a path of failure and closure. The book sheds light on the complexities of educational reform within urban environments and the societal tensions that exacerbate these challenges.

Echoes of Decline: The Story of Failing

Schools in New York City

Slow Death delves into the critical issue of failing schools in New York City, focusing on the emblematic case of Washington Irving, its decline and ultimate closure. Through a blend of personal narratives and analytical depth, it explores the socio-political forces and policies that resulted in an educational abyss that few struggling schools could escape. Highlighting the vast implications for urban educational reform, this book offers a poignant reflection on the challenges facing New York City’s educational landscape.

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