New poll shows 49% of people think Mayor Bloomberg has failed in improving city's schools

Asked whether Bloomberg has succeeded in "his top priority as mayor," nearly half, or 49%, said he'd "failed in his goal," a new Marist-Daily News poll finds. Thirty-eight percent said he'd succeeded.

But the majority of New Yorkers polled believe charter schools - key to Bloomberg's education reform efforts - are "good."

Results were more evenly split among New Yorkers who have kids in public school, with 46% saying he succeeded and 48% saying he hasn't.

"I would say no, based on the latest information about the test scores," said poll participant Mary Hoffman, 56, a public school teacher from Park Slope, Brooklyn, citing a drop in state scores after officials toughened standards.

A 2002 state law gave Bloomberg almost total control over city public schools, allowing him to make substantial changes to the system, like giving schools letter grades and opening more charters schools.

The mayor's office defended his performance.

"Since Mayor Bloomberg took control of New York City schools, students have benefitted from system-wide reforms and better classroom results," said mayoral spokeswoman Jessica Scaperotti.

"Our students continue to make consistent, significant gains and outpace their counterparts throughout New York State and other urban areas around the nation," she said.