Zohran, Elle and his inner circle. in the back room of a bar in Astoria, are probably debating the conundrum: how to respond to the para pay bump bill …. On Thursday, July 16th the City Council approved, by a 49-0 vote the paraprofessional pay boost, council member after member praised the bill. praised the work ofContinue reading “Navigating the Shadowy Hallways of City Hall: How Will the Mayor Respond to the Para Pay Bump?”
Tag Archives: education
Kudos to UFT Leadership: Understanding the Art of Politics
Many decades ago the Delegate Assembly determined contract bargaining demands at monthly meetings, delegates would step to the microphone and move to add a demand, an up or down vote, the list of demands was long, very long. A delegate asked, “Al, if we get everything, how much would it cost?” Shanker stepped back fromContinue reading “Kudos to UFT Leadership: Understanding the Art of Politics”
Will the Changes in NYS Graduation Requirements Better Prepare Students for the Post High School World? Part 2
The NYS Board of Regents has made sweeping changes to high school graduation requirements, with the implementation details “to be decided.” Will these changes improve outcomes for students? The major changes are confusing, *A range of options will be offered in addition to the regents exam to meet graduation requirements. New York State is shifting toContinue reading “Will the Changes in NYS Graduation Requirements Better Prepare Students for the Post High School World? Part 2”
Will the Changes to NYS Graduation Requirements Better Prepare Students for the Post High School World? Part 1
It was the fall of 2019 and the NYS Education Department was holding regional meetings across the state to discuss “Graduation Measures,” I defined as “the beginning of the end of Regents Examinations.” The Brooklyn meeting was held at Fort Hamilton High School, overlooking the harbor near the Verrazano Bridge, a lovely setting. We were assignedContinue reading “Will the Changes to NYS Graduation Requirements Better Prepare Students for the Post High School World? Part 1”
How Would You Rate the Chancellor?
At the end of a school year the pedagogical staff is assessed, for teachers the Matrix, for supervisors the Principal Performance Review and for the Chancellor, well ChatCPT says the mayor with input from the Panel for Educational Priorities, a majority of whom are appointed by the mayor. In elementary, 6-8, 6-12 and 9–12 schools parents, teachers andContinue reading “How Would You Rate the Chancellor?”
Does the Race of a Teacher Impact Student Outcomes? Is Supporting Black Teaching Candidates Discriminatory?
The NY Daily News reports, The Trump administration is investigating the City University of New York over allegations of racial discrimination, the U.S. Justice Department announced Tuesday. The agency’s civil rights arm said it received reports alleging CUNY’s Black Male Initiative gives preference to some students over others on the basis of race. “Race can neverContinue reading “Does the Race of a Teacher Impact Student Outcomes? Is Supporting Black Teaching Candidates Discriminatory?”
Engaging the UFT Membership in the Upcoming Contract Negotiations
The current UFT Contract ends 11/28/27; however, the terms and conditions of the current contract remain in full force and effect until the successor contract is ratified. In NYS public employee labor agreements, aka, contracts, don’t expire, they just designate a date to negotiate the next agrement. Prior to the Taylor Law contracts did expire andContinue reading “Engaging the UFT Membership in the Upcoming Contract Negotiations”
Mayor Mamdani: Time to Begin the Proces of Rebuilding the NYC School System
Over the years I’ve probably been in countless schools, sort of a participant observer, and have been appalled by the lack of leadership. Too many school leaders spend most of their time in their office, never teaching a class, chancellors, we’ve had six in the twelve years, more interested in spinning dud magic bullets. TooContinue reading “Mayor Mamdani: Time to Begin the Proces of Rebuilding the NYC School System”
Is the Mayor Planning to Defund the Affinity District Partner Organizations?
The NYS budget cycle is April 1 to March 31, if the governor/legislatures fail to reach an agreement the legislature passes a “continuing resolution” to keep the state solvent, meaning the ability to pay bills and pay state employees. Cuomo prided himself on timely budgets, each of Governor Hochel’s budgets has been late and thisContinue reading “Is the Mayor Planning to Defund the Affinity District Partner Organizations?”
A Primer: Who Manages Our Pensions? How Does the System Work?
In the last Constitutional Convention, in 1938, the phase “…public employee pensions may not be diminished or impaired,” was added to the State Constitution. Changing the constitution requires votes in both houses of the state legislatures in two consecutive sessions followed by a statewide referendum of voters. In other words our pensions are secured by theContinue reading “A Primer: Who Manages Our Pensions? How Does the System Work?”
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 