Peter Goodman

Gates and the Department of Education’s Quest for the Mythical Magic Bullet: Next Quest: Algebra 1

Soon to be former Chancellor David Banks mandated a new Algebra 1 curriculum without prior consultation with teachers, who have been sharply critical of the new curriculum, Michael Mulgrew, the UFT President, “We have a mess on our hands,” the appalling 2023 59% Algebra 1 passing rate dropped to 45% in 2024. A Department leaderContinue reading “Gates and the Department of Education’s Quest for the Mythical Magic Bullet: Next Quest: Algebra 1”

Deja Vue, Again: Can Failing Schools Be Revived – the Endless, So Far, Futile Quest

/ At last Monday’s Board of Regents Meeting the State rolled out the “new” plan to “reimagine accountability” and revive struggling schools, schools in the lowest assessment categories, Targeted School Improvement (TSI) and Comprehensive School Improvement (CSI). Read the report here Unfortunately most CSI and TSI schools are well below resuscitation, and for decades magic bulletsContinue reading “Deja Vue, Again: Can Failing Schools Be Revived – the Endless, So Far, Futile Quest”

Will “Unexpected Voters” Determine the Outcome of the Presidential Election?

The self described newspaper of record, the N.Y. Times displays graphs, red lines and blue lines and comments on polls almost every day. What is a poll? A poll is a prediction of a particular event at a specific time. Newspapers, media in general, rarely discusses the methodologies that vary from pollster to pollster norContinue reading “Will “Unexpected Voters” Determine the Outcome of the Presidential Election?”

Mulgrew v Trump(ism): The Upcoming UFT Leadership Election

I taught high school Social Studies and like to think of myself as an historian, I completed all my PhD coursework and began my dissertation, “life” intervened. I read as much as I can; enjoyment and expanding knowledge. I keep promising myself I’ll finish that dissertation, maybe. I’ve been writing my blog (Ed in theContinue reading “Mulgrew v Trump(ism): The Upcoming UFT Leadership Election”

Mayor Adams versus US Attorney Damian Williams

Is Adams corrupt,? Lining his pockets with fraudulent dollars and/or is US Attorney Damian Williams gaining notoriety and planning to run for public office, maybe NYS Attorney General? Williams, with widespread publicity, has seized phones, searched residences of a host of Adam’s acolytes, they’ve fled, abandoning a sinking ship and grasping for lifeboats. Adams hasContinue reading “Mayor Adams versus US Attorney Damian Williams”

Will Adams and Diddy Share the Same Cell?

The rumor from City Hall is the reporters have a pool on the day Adams resigns or is indicted? When the FBI knocks on your door at 5 am it’s probably not to bring a bagel and lox breakfast. From Adams on down, including the Banks brothers, high level cops, and a host of highContinue reading “Will Adams and Diddy Share the Same Cell?”

Will the 2024 Presidential Election Be a Replay of 1876 and/or 2000?

Somewhere in the bowels of Mar-a-Lago a team of lawyers and fraudsters are planning on stealing the presidential election Our white, male founding fathers didn’t trust the farmers and working class. Senators were selected by state legislators and electors, the elites selected the president. . Corruption is deeply embedded in our political system, from blatant payContinue reading “Will the 2024 Presidential Election Be a Replay of 1876 and/or 2000?”

Are Polls Accurate Predictors of Election Outcomes?

The NY Times reports polling results in the battleground states as “extremely close,” Nate Cohen, the Times polling guru is writing about polling in his column, The Tilt, almost every day. Of course Nate was “wrong” in 2016 and 2020 and to his credit takes a mea culpa, he tries to explain why the polling universe, wereContinue reading “Are Polls Accurate Predictors of Election Outcomes?”

Let’s Take Back the House- “Down Ballot” Candidates Really, Really Matter

I pedaled over to my local coffee rendezvous and chatted, the Jets, the Mets and one of the coffee addicts asked, “What day is Election Day?” I jumped in, “November 5th,” and the addict responded, “I’ll be out of town, my vote doesn’t matter, NY is a blue state.” I had to restrain myself. RepublicansContinue reading “Let’s Take Back the House- “Down Ballot” Candidates Really, Really Matter”

Another Year: A Quiet School Opening Awaiting a Consequential Election

The Tuesday after Labor Day, teachers, shuffling into schools across the city. . A combination of anxiety, waking up in the middle the night as the “day” approaches and a relief, the “day” arrives. In my school, a high school, bagels, cream cheese and coffee, complements of the Parents Association. A few shrieks of joy as aContinue reading “Another Year: A Quiet School Opening Awaiting a Consequential Election”