For the first-ever Bronx Education Summit at Lehman College, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. said he wanted to spark conversation.

He got what he wanted.

In an early morning speech, education scholar Diane Ravitch blasted the city’s education system since Mayor Michael Bloomberg took the reigns in 2002, saying rising test scores are misleading and that fewer and fewer of high school graduates are prepared for college.

“The DOE responds to systemic problems with a simple formula,” she said. “The same formula now for 10 years: close the schools that enroll low performing students. Open new schools, especially charter schools. This doesn’t help children learn English.”

“What we lose with mayoral control is not only accountability, but democracy,” she said, arguing that the Panel for Educational Policy, which is supposed to be a check and balance entity, largely placates the mayor.

Diaz assembled figures in education to develop a roadmap for educational success in the Bronx. The summit also provided breakout information sessions to educate parents on prepping for college, special education and early childhood education.

“What happens here today will play a major role in designing our borough’s future policy on education,” said Diaz. He pointed to a Bronx education icon to highlight the need for education reform. “Our flagship school — the Bronx High School of Science — barely has any Bronx students within its walls.”

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott also spoke at the summit. He praised the progress made by city schools, while at the same time saying there was still work to be done.

Walcott also said he was ready to take blame for education system failings. “I don’t mind getting beat up. I am paid to get beat up,” he said, perhaps hinting at the criticism over his handling of the discovery of harmful toxins in schools. The former location of the Bronx New School, which was moved due to the discovery of harmful toxins, is just blocks away from Lehman College.

For some parents, their kids, not politics, were their main concern. Paulette Dildy says she has nine kids and has been involved in parent organizations for 38 years. She came to the summit concerned about funding for school programs.

One of her children is in an individualized education program. “I have one that’s being left behind because he’s not getting the financial support he needs to get the programs in place,” she said.

Anne Campos, associate director for the Institute for Literacy Studies at Lehman, said the summit’s long-term impact remains to be seen.

“I think a summit like this is really important to put a spotlight on the issues and shared concerns that educators, parents, and community people have.”