But some of Mr. Booker’s biggest allies worry about the more than 40,000 students, or about 90% of the city’s kids, who don’t attend [high performing] charters. Newark’s high schools graduated 54% of its seniors last year, but that included students who didn’t pass the standard high-school exit exam and instead took an alternative test widely criticized as too easy. At Central High School, for instance, only 4% of the students last year passed using the standard state high school test…One study showed that in 2008, 98% of Newark students attending a local community college required extra help in math, and 87% needed it in English and reading.

The Wall Street Journal on what some perceive Mayor Cory Booker’s lack of aggression in seizing control of Newark’s failing district schools.