The Delegate Assembly, since COVID, is a hybrid meeting, you can attend in-person or on-line and most delegates choose the online option. The technology was wonky in the beginning and now we’ve gotten used to it, you register choosing the in-person or online option, if you chose online your phone rings at 4:15 and you’reContinue reading “Should the UFT Take a Position on the Hamas-Israel War?”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
School Governance in NYC: A Step Closer
Governor Hochul, in her 2022 Preliminary Executive Budget included a four-year extension of Mayoral Control in New York City. The legislature flexed their muscles and rolled back the ability of the governor to include non-budgetary issues in the budget (2001 NYS Court of Appeals approved the process in a number of decisions, See Pataki vContinue reading “School Governance in NYC: A Step Closer”
NYC Mayoral Control Hearing Testimony
January 18, 2024 Pursuant to Chapter 364 of the Laws of 2022, the New York State Education Department shall conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the overall effectiveness of mayoral control of New York City schools. All members of the public—including students, parents, teachers, school administrators and staff, and individuals with experience and expertiseContinue reading “NYC Mayoral Control Hearing Testimony”
Affording to stay healthy: The costs of health insurance for teachers
Patricia Saenz-Armstrong January 11, 2024 [The National Council on Teacher Quality (nctq.org) aggregates information on education, a compilation of Collective Bargaining Agreements, college teacher preparation programs and health insurance for teachers, the current discussions re teacher health insurance in NYC is mirrored across the nation] We have all been there: As soon as school starts,Continue reading “Affording to stay healthy: The costs of health insurance for teachers”
How Does a Bill Become a Law in Albany?
“No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.” (1866, Gideon Tucker, Surrogate Court Judge) At the December Delegate Assembly UFT President Mulgrew began the meeting with the President’s Report: a compilation of national, state and local do-ings, mostly political. On the state level, improvements in Tier 6 of the TeachersContinue reading “How Does a Bill Become a Law in Albany?”
Should Governor Hochul Tell You How to Teach Reading?
In August, 2021 Kathy Hochul, the unknown lieutenant-governor of New York State replaced Andrew Cuomo, who resigned facing impeachment. Cuomo moved from “the nation’s governor,” saving New Yorkers from the COVID plague to another abuser. Entering her third budget cycle Hochul has been stumbling, bickering with the legislature as well as other stakeholders across theContinue reading “Should Governor Hochul Tell You How to Teach Reading?”
Why is Everyone So Angry?
A micro second after the light turns green the car behind me is blowing their horn. If I’m driving at the speed limit a car right behind me is flashing their lights. Why is everyone in such a hurry, why is everyone so angry? From driver rage to wars around the world, Ukraine and Gaza,Continue reading “Why is Everyone So Angry?”
Don’t Throw the Regents Review Books Away Yet?
In the fall of 2019 I attended a regional meeting to discuss a major initiative: Graduation Measures, a comprehensive review of graduation requirements including student assessment and at the top of unspoken list for schools: Is the state abandoning Regents examinations? I sat at a table with a high school superintendent, a principal and aContinue reading “Don’t Throw the Regents Review Books Away Yet?”
What Happens If Mayor Adams is Indicted for Federal Crimes?
Mayor Adams is in trouble. Federal prosecutors and the F.B.I. are conducting a broad public corruption investigation into whether Mayor Eric Adams’s 2021 election campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal foreign donations, according to a search warrant obtained by The New York Times. In the next days, or weeks or months Mayor Adams willContinue reading “What Happens If Mayor Adams is Indicted for Federal Crimes?”
Pas de Deux: The Budget Dance Begins
Are those vultures circling over Gracie Mansion? At the November UFT Delegate Meeting Michael Mulgrew addressed Mayor Adams plans for drastic budget cuts, and asked whether the delegates were ready to “go to war,” Adams’ announcement was not a surprise, all mayors are required to release a November Plan, (See the 300 plus page CityContinue reading “Pas de Deux: The Budget Dance Begins”
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 