Jonathan Pelto takes a closer look at the media hype surrounding Dr. Steve Perry’s fabled Capitol Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Perry has claimed that the school has a zero percent dropout rate. This claim has repeated again and again by others.
But is it true? Read on.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Dr Perry had a student that he threw out and told him to go to a so called failing regular high school. Then a person from a failing school took student in and got him in college. So much for 100 percent. But hey, he saves kids right? And instruction is so much better than a failing school? Please, this is all bullshit!
After reading Pelto’s excellent analysis of how Perry deliberately obfuscates his schools’ high attrition rate, I can understand why Perry calls himself “Americas most wanted educator.” He definitely belongs to the “top ten most wanted.” What is amazing is how little effort it would have taken journalists to check the facts. Based on other studies of “miracle schools”, one can reasonably assume that the average attrition rate—carefully concealed from the public—is always about 35% beteween the 8th and 12th grade.
And the cheesy cap and gown for the backdrop..how ridiculous is that? He is just another bloviating gas bag who repeats the same talking points while promoting himself.
How about former Sec. of Ed. Rod Paige who got the job by convincing people that he lowered the Houston dropout rate to zero and later it was found out to be 50% and he lost the job. How about LAUSD superintendent Deasy who claims to have a PHD and yet he quit his Prince Georges County superintendents job one week after the stories hit the papers that he has a phony PHD. Just go onto Google and enter John Deasy, University of Louisville and have so laughs.
George,
Yes BUT, Deasy did spend ten weekends in the BROAD Superintendent’s Academy, so he is good enough for the poor kids, I mean ” good enough for “other poeople’s children”.
This man always reminded me of a television preacher. He is a total EduShyster.