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."