By Scott Waldman, Albany Times Union, N.Y. Jul. 26--ALBANY -- This is what a school on life support looks like. The roof of the Philip Livingston Magnet Academy leaks. Pipes drip into classrooms. Windows are broken. Grafitti-covered desks are too small for most of the middle school students.

By Scott Waldman, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. May 16--ALBANY -- Eight schools each in Albany and Schenectady have been recognized by the state as rapidly improving.

By David Filkins, Albany Times Union, N.Y. Mar. 26--The Albany City School District has been identified as "in need of improvement" in English by the state Education Department.

By Tim O'Brien, Albany Times Union, N.Y. Jan. 20--ALBANY -- As a growing number of students enroll in charter schools, the Albany district may be forced to close some of its own schools in the fall.

By Tim O'Brien, Albany Times Union, N.Y. Nov. 23--ALBANY -- A conference in March will bring thousands of educators to Albany to discuss raising graduation rates for minority students and reducing the achievement gap with white students.