Harlem school is New York's worst-performing middle school

MS 344, the Academy of Collaborative Education in Harlem, is known as the school from hell and the pupils are the worst part. They assault teachers, destroy the facilities and steal from each other in the halls. They are out of control. MS 344 has been branded by the state a persistently dangerous school. In 2010, just two of 88 eighth-graders passed the state's exams for math or reading. Letters from staff to ex-Chancellor Joel Klein begged for Principal Rashaunda Shaw's removal. Staff members complained that Shaw does not impose discipline or respect. Staff say the principal is always late, never leaves her office and hired a sister-in-law and her boyfriend's ex-wife. Shaw, 35, also hired former Staten Island Assistant Principal Odufuyi Jackson, a friend who was arrested in 2009 on felony charges that he conspired to steal more than $100,000 in Social Security. In 2010, he pleaded guilty to attempted fabrication of business records. He was demoted to teacher, but staff claim the principal also has him doubling as a dean. It was also reported that one teacher was transferred after a student threatened to rape his wife.