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”
Tag Archives: education
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?”
Leadership and Experience Matters: The Survival of Public Education is at Stake
The United Federation of Teachers, the UFT has almost 200,000 members, 75,000 teachers 25,000 paraprofessionals 60,000 retirees 50,000 other titles, I.e., school secretaries, guidance counselors, speech pathologists, etc. working in 1800 school and other facilities. The governance structure: * officers (11) and Boro Reps, meet weekly *102 member executive board, meets twice aContinue reading “Leadership and Experience Matters: The Survival of Public Education is at Stake”
“We must all hang together or most assuredly we’ll hang separately,”
“We must all hang together or most assuredly we’ll hang separately,” Benjamin Franklin Less than a month into the Trump-Elon regency and the attack on public education and labor unions is just beginning. Utah is the third state to bar public employees from collective bargaining, and we expect a Trump attempt. perhaps through a presidentialContinue reading ““We must all hang together or most assuredly we’ll hang separately,””
The Impending Dismantling of the Department of Education, Public Education, Teacher Unions and perhaps our Democracy
Trump and his minions are preparing to dismantle the Department of Education and move on to dismantling public education and teacher unions, and perhaps our democracy. The Department of Education is the smallest and most recent cabinet level department. As part of LBJ’s Great Society the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) became law andContinue reading “The Impending Dismantling of the Department of Education, Public Education, Teacher Unions and perhaps our Democracy”
Why is the DSA Trying to Take Over the UFT?
“I’m not a member of any political party – I’m a democrat” Will Rogers We have a two party electoral system, Democrats and Republicans, within each party there are factions, and Madison in Federalist # 10 warned against factions, “who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion or of some, adverse toContinue reading “Why is the DSA Trying to Take Over the UFT?”
Trump versus the NYS Board of Regents
On January 20th the scepter and orb were transferred to Trump and the early theme of the era of Trump 2.0 is off and running: retribution Executive Orders flew out of the White House, institutionalizing a host of MAGA favorites, among them a major theme of the Trump campaign, opposing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts,Continue reading “Trump versus the NYS Board of Regents”
“Where are the Snows of Yesteryear,”
In my union rep days I visited a couple of schools a day “showing the flag,” some principals welcomed me, a few thought I was a troublemaker, in a way, they were correct. In the winter I kept my army field jacket in my car in case I had to walk to the school, IContinue reading ““Where are the Snows of Yesteryear,””
“Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste,” Why We Need Wily, Experienced Leadership
The days are getting longer, otherwise the bleak, chilly days seem to be modeling the political climate. One day Trump is thinking about giving DACA kids permanent status the next swooping down and snatching immigrants off the streets, the next day probably messing with Social Security and Medicare, is that whirring sound sucking sanity downContinue reading ““Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste,” Why We Need Wily, Experienced Leadership”
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 