Adriana Aviles discovered her 14-year-old son could not comprehend basic algebra, geometry, or elementary fractions despite consistently earning marks in the nineties at PS 221Q and MS 67Q. The severe learning deficit surfaced this fall when the freshman received a score of 10 out of 100 on an early high school math assessment. In response, Aviles confronted Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels at a public town hall to demand accountability for misleading grading policies. The family has now turned to elementary-level workbooks and extensive weekday lunch tutoring to rebuild the student's math foundation.
Key points
Misleading grading rubrics can mask severe academic deficiencies throughout a student's e…: Misleading grading rubrics can mask severe academic deficiencies throughout a student's elementary and middle school education.
Remedying multi-year learning gaps requires aggressive interventions, such as elementary…: Remedying multi-year learning gaps requires aggressive interventions, such as elementary review books and four days of weekly lunch tutoring.
District parent leadership is directly challenging education officials over grading polic…: District parent leadership is directly challenging education officials over grading policies that fail to prepare students for high school coursework.
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NYC public schools deceived me into thinking my son was a straight-A math student — but he can’t do fractions, basic algebra
Published
Oct. 31, 2026, 8:07 a.m. ET
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For 13 years, Adriana Aviles, a fierce education advocate and former NYPD cop, has been the ultimate insider in New York City schools. As a powerful leader on the Citywide Council on High Schools, she championed Queens District 26 as one of the best in the city. She knew the principals and the teachers — and trusted them. She was gratified that her son consistently received good grades, especially in math, throughout his K-8 years. Then, two weeks ago, she sat down with her 14-year-old son to help him review for his second high school math exam. What happened next left her stunned and her son in tears — and prompted her to publicly confront Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels at a town hall last week. She shared her family’s devastating experience with The Post’s David Spector.
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