The Department of Education has released progress reports for elementary and middle schools across New York City. Schools chancellor Dennis Walcott recently released the 2012 data for all schools offering kindergarten through eighth grade. The results are based on student progress, student performance and school environment. More than 50 borough schools received an "A" in the report, including P.S. 179 in Mott Haven. The school improved greatly from last year's poor marks. However, five Bronx schools scored failing grades. Education officials say progress reports help measure how well schools are preparing students for high school. On the other hand, critics insist the reports are skewed in that they overemphasize test scores. Report: NYC school test scores falling flat