Hélène Biandudi Hofer

This week on Need to Know Rochester we look into a new report that finds New York State is one of nine states leading the nation in reducing youth incarceration. But do the findings reflect current juvenile justice trends in Monroe County?

Also on the show, singer Robin McKelle stops by the studio just before her performance at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. We'll talk with the Rochester-native about her latest album.

Also - a look at a unique beer pairing dinner for Rochester's Real Beer Week and our finale of sculptor Albert Paley's installation in New York City.

Tune in this Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV Channel 21 and Cable 11 or 1011.

While statewide graduation rates remained stable at 74%, the Rochester City School District saw a drop in students graduating in 2012. That’s according to the latest graduation rates released Monday by the New York State Education Department. The District graduated 43% of its students in 2012, compared to 45.5% percent in 2011. Superintendent Bolgen Vargas said the District can’t improve student learning if doesn’t improve the quantity and quality of instruction.

On this edition of Need to Know Rochester:

• Rochester area school district rankings are now out. It turns out some districts ranked higher than people might have expected given their socioeconomic standing. We look at what’s working for these districts and discuss the impact of poverty on education.
• Artist Tom Otterness shares the vision behind his installation at the Memorial Art Gallery’s Centennial Sculpture Park.
• Famed sculptor Albert Paley and his team make finishing touches to the 13 original pieces being installed on Park Avenue in New York City this weekend.

Watch this weeks edition of Need To Know Rochester, and take our poll below:

• The Federal trust fund may disappear by 2016, what does that mean for those that rely on Federal benefits? 
• Will more tourism boost the upstate economy?
• And we look at the work of two local sculptors

When it comes to school district rankings in the Rochester area, socio-economics does play a role. That’s according to Scott Thomas, Projects Editor with Business First in Buffalo. The publication released its 4th annual Rochester area school district rankings today based on state test results and high school graduation rates. Pittsford remains in the top spot followed by Honeoye Falls-Lima in second and Brighton in third. Thomas says while the ranking doesn’t account for socio-economics because New York doesn’t account for it, he says it does impact the results.

Coming up this week on Need to Know Rochester the disability insurance trust fund will be depleted as soon as 2016. We discuss the potential impact on area residents who rely on disability payments. Also on the show, a look at Governor Cuomo’s enhanced push for more tourism in upstate New York. Area business owners tell us whether they think the effort is enough to help boost the economy. Tune in this Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV Channel 21 and Cable 11 or 1011.

Teacher evaluations, testing, and college and career readiness. These are all common and sometimes heated topics of discussion among teachers, school leaders, parents and education reformers. But on Tuesday high school students throughout New York State were the ones taking on those issues.

A number of student reporters participated in a statewide video press conference. And as WXXI’s Hélène Biandudi Hofer reports, they all had a lot of questions for New York Education Commissioner, John King.

On this edition of Need to Know Rochester:

• Current community-wide efforts to alleviate racial disparities and structural inequities in Rochester
• A round-table discussion on the rising food truck craze in Monroe County and the potential impact of a new food truck pilot program in the City of Rochester
• World-renowned sculptor Albert Paley takes WXXI inside his studios as he creates his latest work which will be installed on Park Avenue in New York City

Coming up this week on Need to Know Rochester the conversation on race continues. We discuss current efforts to combat racial disparities in the Rochester-area and look into community goals to help tackle racial inequities. Also on the show, new footage and interviews from WXXI’s behind-the-scenes look at sculptor Albert Paley’s latest work. Tune in this Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV Channel 21 and Cable 11 or 1011.

On this edition of Need to Know Rochester:

• A look at the potential charter school boom in Monroe County and how that may impact students and the Rochester City School District
• A profile of Hope Hall, a local private school that caters to students with special learning needs
• A new behind-the-scenes look at sculptor Albert Paley’s latest work