The US Department of Education is gone! Half the employees have been fired with the remaining probably on their way out. According to Trump we don’t need a USDoE, states can run our education system, of course, states have always run our education system, every state has a department of education, a governing board, usuallyContinue reading “Should the “Portrait of a Graduate” Soft Skills Replace the Regents Exams?”
Tag Archives: education
How Will the Big (not so) Beautiful Budget Bill Impact NYS and NYC Budgets?
The thousand-page bill squeaked through the House and the Senate and signed into law by the president. See the details of the law here. Estimates are the bill will substantially impact NYS, … a big financial impact for New York and its health care system. State officials estimated the House bill would cost the state and itsContinue reading “How Will the Big (not so) Beautiful Budget Bill Impact NYS and NYC Budgets?”
Mamdani and Mayoral Control
As Cuomo continues to waffle over whether he’ll campaign on his independent ballot line the losing candidates are beginning to line up with Zohan, the UFT is holding meetings to consider his endorsement, other powerful unions have jumped on board, unless the Republican party intends to drop their current candidate, Curtis Sliwa and replace him withContinue reading “Mamdani and Mayoral Control”
Dealing with Anxiety in Troubling Times
I sent out a scree to my e-list: have you voted? I received: who should I vote for? (easily resolved) and I have no stamps (not needed) and many smiley faces, every vote counts, we should have the results in a few days. These are anxiety producing times. I wake up and hesitate to checkContinue reading “Dealing with Anxiety in Troubling Times”
Governor Hochul Failed the Test
Have you cast your ballot in the UFT Leadership election? Don’t tarry!! Place an X in the Unity box and into the mailbox, do it NOW!! I’ve always believed the best decisions are made by the folks closest to the kids: teachers and school leaders, hopefully facilitated by the school district leader. In other words,Continue reading “Governor Hochul Failed the Test”
Laws and Sausages: We Need Leaders Who Can Navigate the Current Toxic Politics
“You never want to see how sausages and laws are made” Both houses of Congress are racing to write a wide range of budget bills, called markups. Since both houses have Republican majorities, the bills must satisfy the caucuses within the Republican Party. The Freedom Caucus, the most conservative are demanding dramatic reductions in Medicare,Continue reading “Laws and Sausages: We Need Leaders Who Can Navigate the Current Toxic Politics”
Can I Be Laid Off? Are Our Pensions in Jeopardy?
At the end of Mulgrew’s Town Hall livestream a member asked “Can I be laid off?”, a question on the mind of many in the audience. Mulgrew restated the theme of his remarks, we are facing an “existential crisis,” the future of public education and teacher unions are at risk, and we must fight backContinue reading “Can I Be Laid Off? Are Our Pensions in Jeopardy?”
Preparing for the Battles Ahead and Fighting Together
Always should begin with the good news, Mayor Adams’ announcement, the city would hire 3700 new teachers to comply with the Class Size Reduction law, in addition to vacancies created by retirement and resignations. Now the disturbing news: The tornado funnel in the distance is closing in, the House just passed a budget, the SenateContinue reading “Preparing for the Battles Ahead and Fighting Together”
Storm Clouds Gathering, Rolling Thunder in the Distance
The Governor and the state legislative leaders are pushing towards a budget agreement; however, governors commonly include numerous non budgetary items into the budget. Remarkably, in spite of enormously unresolved consequential issues, at the top of the list to be included in the budget is a “bell to bell” ban on cell phones in school. Shouldn’tContinue reading “Storm Clouds Gathering, Rolling Thunder in the Distance”
Will the Elimination of the US Department of Education and Trump Budget Cuts Jeopardize My Job?
The first message Linda McMahon, the new Secretary of Education sent to her staff was we’re shutting down. What happens to the Title 1 Dollars? The 1.5 billion federal education dollars formerly going to New York State? Trump, McMahon and their acolytes shout education belongs to the states: time for a little history lesson. Yes, theContinue reading “Will the Elimination of the US Department of Education and Trump Budget Cuts Jeopardize My Job?”
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 