Public High School Graduation Rate Sets New Record
Sixty-one percent of NYC public high school students graduated in 2010, which sets a new record for the city. Black and Hispanic students, who make up to 70 percent of the graduating population, had graduation rates of 60.6 percent and 58.2 percent, respectively. The combined graduation rate for black and Hispanic students are nearly 20 percent higher than in 2005. English language learners and students with disabilities, who make up to 14.3 percent and 16.2 percent of the all public high school students, also have improved graduation rates of 46.1 percent and 30.7 percent compared to 44.4 percent and 26.6 percent, respectively, last year. “We will not stop our efforts to improve NYC schools. The latest numbers show we are on the right track,” Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday in a Twitter post.
Sixty-one percent of NYC public high school students graduated in 2010, which sets a new record for the city. Black and Hispanic students, who make up to 70 percent of the graduating population, had graduation rates of 60.6 percent and 58.2 percent, respectively. The combined graduation rate for black and Hispanic students are nearly 20 percent higher than in 2005. English language learners and students with disabilities, who make up to 14.3 percent and 16.2 percent of the all public high school students, also have improved graduation rates of 46.1 percent and 30.7 percent compared to 44.4 percent and 26.6 percent, respectively, last year. “We will not stop our efforts to improve NYC schools. The latest numbers show we are on the right track,” Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday in a Twitter post.
Sunscreen Labels to Improve in Accuracy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to issue more accurate labeling rules for sunscreen manufacturers. The new rules would limit the maximum SPF value to 50, as there is no sufficient evidence that sunscreens with SPF values higher than 50 actually provide greater protection than those with SPF 50. Products that have been proven to block both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays will be eligible to have a label of “Broad Spectrum,” and only products that protect against “Broad Spectrum” and have SPF values greater than 15 can state that they help prevent early skin aging and skin cancer. Sunscreens, which do not meet these requirements have to clearly disclose that they do not help with the prevention of such skin deseases. “As more New Yorkers head to the beach, this is a common-sense step to tell consumers just what they’re getting from their sunscreen,” Sen. Gillibrand said Tuesday, according to a press release.
Sandwich Chain Lenny’s Required To Pay Back Wages
Lenny’s, the sandwich chain with 13 restaurants in Manhattan, has reached a deal with the state to pay $5.1 million in back wages owed to its employees. Of the amount, $100,000 will be penalties paid to the state. An investigation by the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) showed that the chain violated labor laws, affecting over 800 workers from 2002 to 2008, by paying less than the legal minimum wage, omitting overtime charges, and not issuing wage statements to its workers. Lenny’s has paid $1 million to the state upfront and will make the rest of the payment within 24 months. Affected employees will begin to receive their unpaid wages this month. This is the largest settlement in DOL’s history. Currently, the minimum wage in New York State is $7.25 per hour.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to issue more accurate labeling rules for sunscreen manufacturers. The new rules would limit the maximum SPF value to 50, as there is no sufficient evidence that sunscreens with SPF values higher than 50 actually provide greater protection than those with SPF 50. Products that have been proven to block both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays will be eligible to have a label of “Broad Spectrum,” and only products that protect against “Broad Spectrum” and have SPF values greater than 15 can state that they help prevent early skin aging and skin cancer. Sunscreens, which do not meet these requirements have to clearly disclose that they do not help with the prevention of such skin deseases. “As more New Yorkers head to the beach, this is a common-sense step to tell consumers just what they’re getting from their sunscreen,” Sen. Gillibrand said Tuesday, according to a press release.
Sandwich Chain Lenny’s Required To Pay Back Wages
Lenny’s, the sandwich chain with 13 restaurants in Manhattan, has reached a deal with the state to pay $5.1 million in back wages owed to its employees. Of the amount, $100,000 will be penalties paid to the state. An investigation by the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) showed that the chain violated labor laws, affecting over 800 workers from 2002 to 2008, by paying less than the legal minimum wage, omitting overtime charges, and not issuing wage statements to its workers. Lenny’s has paid $1 million to the state upfront and will make the rest of the payment within 24 months. Affected employees will begin to receive their unpaid wages this month. This is the largest settlement in DOL’s history. Currently, the minimum wage in New York State is $7.25 per hour.
