This raises the ongoing problem of how to fund Mandarin immersion programs in an era of cash-strapped public schools.

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Updated 10/11/2010 09:10 PM

High-Ranking LES School Has Nine Open DOE Investigations

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P.S. 184 in the Lower East Side is one of the crown jewels of the city’s public school system, but an exclusive NY1 investigative report has uncovered many serious issues at the school. NY1’s Lindsey Christ filed the following report.It’s the first in the country to teach in both English and Mandarin. The celebrated bilingual classes at the Shuang Wen School are mandatory. But NY1 has learned that this year, the mostly low-income students were told to start paying for those classes at a cost of $1,000 each.

“You have parents that are working two or three low income jobs just to get by and yet they are being forced to pay this thousand dollars so their children be able to perform in this academic environment and it’s supposed to be a public school,”s aid P.S. 184 parent Saultan Baptiste.

When NY1 went to education officials and asked if this was legal, they admitted it’s wrong and under investigation. It’s one of nine investigations involving the school.

The school brochure explains, “Instruction in Mandarin takes place primarily during Shuang Wen’s mandatory after-school program.”

The school says payment is mandatory, too.

One letter issued to parents said, “Only those who pay the tuition shall be able to attend, with no exception.”

Another warned, “If we do not receive your payment by the deadline, you child will be dismissed in the cafeteria at 3:00 PM… Due to limited staff, we will not be able to take care of your child after 3:00pm. The safety of your child will be in jeopardy if you come late.”

Just last week, parents were told if they didn’t pay, “we shall start to take the necessary action.”

Parents blame the city for celebrating the school’s program, sending more and more students but then not providing enough funding. And when the school tried to make up the difference by shaming parents who didn’t donate, the city cut its after-school funding altogether. The school said that left limited choices.

“One is reduce the service level so that it still remained free, which we didn’t want to do because we know how important it was to parents. The other option is to start charging,” said Shuang Wen Academy Network Board Chair Nora Chang Wang.

In June, parents received notice that classes would now cost a thousand dollars.

The principal insists students who don’t stay after school can still pass. Parents disagree. They say some regular classes, like social studies, are conducted in Chinese, and students need to read and write the language to pass.

“You are not going to be able to perform in these classes unless you pay the thousand dollars per child,” Baptiste said.

Many parents say what makes Shuang Wen special is the Mandarin immersion, and that they would rather pay than cut the program. But others say many families can’t afford any tuition but feel pressure to come up with it or transfer out of the school.

The DOE says at a public school, the practice is not right and may be illegal.

See more here.