The 10th Amendment to the Constitution: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people (What does “to the people” mean?) Education is not mentioned in the constitution and as per the constitution is “reserved forContinue reading “Should Teachers Serve on School Boards?”
Tag Archives: education
The Elusive Search for the Ultimate Magic Bullet
From “Why Johnnie Can’t Read” (1955) to Decentralization (1971) to Mayoral Control (2002) and A Nation at Risk (1983) one magic bullet after another. Bush junior No Child Left Behind (2002) and its offspring, the Every Child Succeeds Act (2016), add in the Common Core (2010) leading up to phonics and the Science of Reading andContinue reading “The Elusive Search for the Ultimate Magic Bullet”
How Will the November 3rd Midterms Impact the Upcoming Contract Negotiations and Beyond?
As the clock ticks down to November 3rd diesel prices continue to soar, Iran is a forever war, mortgage rates climbing, Republican candidates ask the president not to campaign in their district, a number of journalists comment on the upcoming election The MAGA Flag is in Tatters, , listen here, worthwhile. In the Spring ofContinue reading “How Will the November 3rd Midterms Impact the Upcoming Contract Negotiations and Beyond?”
The Upcoming UFT Contract Negotiations: “Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail”
The current UFT Contract “ends” November 28, 2027 and the UFT has begun the negotiations process. Negotiation sub committees reflecting all the titles, 700 members have met and will continue to meet to create bargaining demands.that reflect the views of the members. First, a primer: under provisions of the Public Employee Relations Act, commonly called the Taylor Law laborContinue reading “The Upcoming UFT Contract Negotiations: “Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail””
Mulgrew v Mamdani and the Office of Collective Bargaining
The Constitution requires the “advice and consent” of the Senate (Article 2, section 2, clause 2), hearings and a vote to confirm probably hundreds of members of the executive branch, from cabinet members to ambassadors and on and on. The Mayor of New York, appoints, or reappoints about three hundred positions, without any approval, theContinue reading “Mulgrew v Mamdani and the Office of Collective Bargaining”
Why did the NYC Standardized Test Scores Dive?
Standardized testing has a long history, a very long history. China has the world’s oldest and most influential history of standardized testing, originating with the ancient imperial civil service examinations (keju) over 2,000 years ago. This merit-based tradition evolved into the modern Gaokao (National College Entrance Examination), shaping global concepts of educational testing and socialContinue reading “Why did the NYC Standardized Test Scores Dive?”
Ownership of Practice: Can Teachers, School Leaders and Parents “Seize the Reins” and Create Collaborative School Cultures
It’s August, for teachers a few more weeks of leisure or a summer job, or creeping anxiety, For the chancellor and his team planning for his first school opening in an environment where education is way down the mayor’s list. Running for office is exciting, cheering crowds of supporters, endless “high five-ing,” and the exaltationContinue reading “Ownership of Practice: Can Teachers, School Leaders and Parents “Seize the Reins” and Create Collaborative School Cultures”
Mulgrew v Mamdani: Does the Mayor Want to “Go to War?”
The Public Employee Relations Act (PERB), known as the Taylor Law, named after chairman of the commission that drafted the law, sets guidelines for public employee labor relations, all public employees in New York State can form unions without management interference, collective bargaining guidelines embedded in the law, all contracts remain in “full force andContinue reading “Mulgrew v Mamdani: Does the Mayor Want to “Go to War?””
Navigating the Shadowy Hallways of City Hall: How Will the Mayor Respond to the Para Pay Bump?
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?”
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”
