Bloomberg and NYC Schools Fail Again!

New York 4th graders were the only ones in the country to get lower scores than on the previous year's test!!! Boy, teaching to the test has done a lot of good. This is what happens when you have non-educators running a school system. As I have asked before, "When are Bloomberg's feet going to be held to the fire?" He demanded total control of the school system, received it, and it has been nothing short of a disaster since. Clearly he doesn't have a clue. Times, Post, News I ask again: why have you not weighed in on this subject? Why have you given him a pass on this issue when it is abundantly clear that not only has there been no improvement in the school system during his tenure but it has gotten progressively worse?

Accusations of Cheating by Educators Under Bloomberg

The New York Times of Aug. 23, 2011 reports that test-tampering and grade-changing has more than tripled since Mayor-Dictator Bloomberg took control of NYC's school system. Gee, what a surprise! Anyone who has taught in the system, as I have, can tell you this has been going on for years and years. The special commissioner, Richard Conlon, attributed the rise both to the expansion of the school system(nonsense) and to the higher stakes attached to standardized tests(duh!). The schools chancellor, another Bloomberg lackey, denies this. He was supported by Shael Polakow-Suransky, his lackey. Keep burying your heads in the sand, gentlemen. No erasure analysis necessary for NYC. Oh sure! As long as everything is based on test results this cheating will continue. Isn't it time to spend classroom hours on learning subject matter rather than on teaching to the test? By the way, what on earth does Stephen Brill know about education? Another non-educator sticking his two cents in where it doesn't belong!

The Stupid Get More Stupid: Bloomberg Does It Again

A dozen new standardized tests? Let's throw away any pretense of educating students. How much more of the day is going to be spent "teaching to the test"? This is insane. And by the way, the purpose of all these new tests-to grade teachers. What an intelligent use of time and money. So, no more science, history, art, music,et al. No time for such mundane subjects. Doesn't anyone see how Bloomberg, Klein, Black and now Polakow-Suransky are brutalizing the NYC school system? Let's be honest. Since Bloomberg received complete control of the school system it has been a disaster. The Times, News, Post-no honest reporting? Instead of this crusade against the teachers and their union how about using their knowledge to make a better system. Who would know better than the people doing the actual work?  Certainly not a business man sitting on his high horse.

Obama Criticizes "High Stakes" Testing

Is he finally seeing the light? Time to rid himself of Duncan and other proponents of  massive testing and charter schools. Can teachers go back to teaching? It would be nice to see something other than Math and English being taught. How much badly needed money is being spent on testing? Hopefully, this is a step in the right direction for Pres. Obama.

Bloomberg's Continues All-out War Against Teachers

The DOE under the direction of the mayor directed its employees to involve students and parents in signing a petition calling for changing the law governing layoff rules. UFT President Michael Mulgrew stated, " the same DOE, which on the pretext of sheltering students has forbidden teachers even from wearing buttons indicating support for candidates, has now embraced using students and parents in a clearly partisan legislative initiative." This is what the city is spending money on while the mayor claims there is none!

Dictator Bloomberg Abuses Power Once Again

The Office Of Family Engagement and Advocacy set up by the Dept of Education to address complaints that parents were not being listened to by the mayor when he took control of the school system was used by said mayor to have a petition circulated with the intention of persuading the Legislature to change the layoff formula for teachers. An investigation is being called for by unions representing parent coordinators and unions charging that the Education Dept used public money and civil servants to advance a political cause. Is this mayor really much different then the Middle East rulers we have been hearing so much about lately? Are we going to see a push for a 4th term in office?

This Must Be Read Truly Incredible!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/07/education/07winerip.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&sq=new%20york%20education&st=cse&scp=4

23% of NYC Students Were Prepared for College

State education officials said that only 23% of high school students in NYC were prepared for college or careers in 2009. Good work Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein. You guys really know what you're doing. Isn't it time for the mayor to resign as he staked his administration and reputation on getting control of and improving the school system? Everything I read and hear from my former colleagues is that things are worse then ever!!

Mayoral Control of the Schools

A Canarsie , Brooklyn school had a principal who until recently ran the school into the ground for 5 long years. So overbudgeted was the school that it lost its guidance counselors, special math and reading programs, and its gifted program. If the mayor would take time off from his teacher bashing maybe he could correct the real problems in the school system. He asked for and received control of the school system and ever since it has deteriorated even further. When is he going to be made to pay for his crimes? Can you imagine principals such as this one being the determining factor as to whether a teacher is fired? That is what Bloomberg is looking for. He clearly in his own system rates an F. He needs to be removed!

Tax Surcharge on Millionaires

Extending the surcharge for 2011-2012 will give the state an extra billion dollars and about $5 billion for 2012-2013.  This would have a negligible effect on their disposable income but drastically help those who need it most. With this money all Bloomberg's talk about firing teachers could end although Cuomo says this isn't even an issue now. What exactly is Bloomberg up to? UFT President Mulgrew: "I was disgusted. I have never heard a mayor say that people should be laid off on the basis of salary. He is saying people should lose their jobs for dedicating their lives to the children of New York City."

Anti-teacher Groups

Here's a list of anti-teacher groups:Tishman Speyer Properties: The Durst Org.; Business Council of NYState; Real Estate Board of NY; Partnership for NYC; Larry Silverstein; David Einhorn of Greenlight Capital; Charles Ledley of Cornwall Capital; Whitney Tilson of T2 Partners LLC and Tilson Mutual Funds; Joel Greenblatt of Gotham Capital; Michael Novogratz of Fortress Investment Group; Rafael Mayer, Khronos LLC; Broad Foundation; Sidney Gargiulo, Hawkshaw Capital, John Petry, Gotham Capital; John Savat SAC Capital; Mai Family Foundation. NOTICE ANYTHING IN COMMON. All Dictator Bloomberg's ultra rich pals. Wouldn't it be more helpful to use their billions to improve the schools and spend less time attacking teachers and their union. What do these people know about education anyway?? I guess about as much as Joel Klein and Catherine Black!

Bloomberg ill-informed AGAIN!

About 6000 teachers and other educators have left the NYC school system the past two years without being replaced. Class sizes have jumped to unteachable numbers but the "very" knowledgeable mayor of NYC says class size doesn't matter. Once again the ill-informed, or maybe just not too bright, mayor has his facts wrong!

DOE cost overruns

As reported in today's newspapers a contract for placing students that was supposed to cost $3.6 million actually cost $13.5 million and then was replaced for another $9.4 million. Nice work mayor!

Billionaire Bloomberg

Won't reinstate the millionaire's tax(gee what a surprise) but says there's no money for the NYC school system. Instead he wants to keep the lowest paid teachers no matter who is more qualified. Shouldn't even be an issue-Gov. Cuomo says the money is there. Just a ploy to further demonize the teachers and their union when the real problem is Bloomberg himself. Time for our little dictator to go-his two terms in office are long past.

Chief Jokesters

Mayor Bloomberg, ex-chancellor Klein(thankfully), Catherine Black(Who?); not far behind from out of state: Arne Duncan, Michelle Rhee, Bill Gates, President Obama. Charter schools-please. National survey has them performing worse than regular schools 37% of the time. The same about 45% of the time and that's with picking and choosing the best kids. Why are they being pushed by all of the above? Have any of these people taught young children in a classroom for any significant time? Business people running school systems? Whose bright idea was that? Oh yes, Bloomberg. The Honorable Mayor needs to do the honorable thing and resign. The school system has not improved one iota since he received the complete control he asked for- inflated test scores, pitiful graduation rates with the need for remedial work for many of those who make it to college, no improvement in the disparity between minority students and non-minorities. When are we going to start teaching science, history, music again? More to come....