Over the past year the opposition caucuses have been demeaning the folks who keep the union running, for the most part invisible, the staff. The borough offices are staffed by part timers who work a few days a week supporting the full time staff who worked their way up the informal internship system. I wasContinue reading “In Praise of the UFT Staff”
Tag Archives: education
A Bubbling Cauldron: Dividing Billions of Foundation Aid Dollars
The news is dominated by the Trump election, the Adams indictment, the new police commissioner, the healthcare corporation executive murder, the chancellor of the month, and, buried behind the headlines the battle over Foundation Aid, the formula that determines the distribution of state dollars to schools. A little history: New York is a property taxContinue reading “A Bubbling Cauldron: Dividing Billions of Foundation Aid Dollars”
From the Classrooms: One Army, Union Members Prepared to Fight for Our Schools and Our Students
I was chatting with a group of elementary school teachers. “Do you know there’s an election for UFT leadership in the spring?” “No” “Do you know who leads the union now and how are they doing?” One of the teachers had been a delegate, she liked Mulgrew’s opening report, said it was thorough. “Do you knowContinue reading “From the Classrooms: One Army, Union Members Prepared to Fight for Our Schools and Our Students”
Will Public Education and Teacher Unions Survive Trump?
The pundits are suggesting names for the next Secretary of Education, that’s if the Department of Education survives. Betsy De Vos is campaigning as well as the Commissioner of Education in Oklahoma who ordered posting the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Do you post the Protestant or the Catholic commandments? They’re different! Are you working onContinue reading “Will Public Education and Teacher Unions Survive Trump?”
Regents Exams Will Be Gone! Replaced by a Book Report or an Internship
“The educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a Nation and a people. . . . We have, in effect, been committing an act of unthinking, unilateral educational disarmament,” (A Nation at Risk, 1983) Five years ago I attended the firstContinue reading “Regents Exams Will Be Gone! Replaced by a Book Report or an Internship”
Gates and the Department of Education’s Quest for the Mythical Magic Bullet: Next Quest: Algebra 1
Soon to be former Chancellor David Banks mandated a new Algebra 1 curriculum without prior consultation with teachers, who have been sharply critical of the new curriculum, Michael Mulgrew, the UFT President, “We have a mess on our hands,” the appalling 2023 59% Algebra 1 passing rate dropped to 45% in 2024. A Department leaderContinue reading “Gates and the Department of Education’s Quest for the Mythical Magic Bullet: Next Quest: Algebra 1”
Mulgrew v Trump(ism): The Upcoming UFT Leadership Election
I taught high school Social Studies and like to think of myself as an historian, I completed all my PhD coursework and began my dissertation, “life” intervened. I read as much as I can; enjoyment and expanding knowledge. I keep promising myself I’ll finish that dissertation, maybe. I’ve been writing my blog (Ed in theContinue reading “Mulgrew v Trump(ism): The Upcoming UFT Leadership Election”
Teaching is Not a Science
New York State has always left curriculum to the school district, the State develops standards and high school graduation requirements. For example districts choose reading programs and/or write their own. The choice of curriculum has become a controversial topic across the nation. David Steiner, at John Hopkins School of Education and the former NYS CommissionerContinue reading “Teaching is Not a Science”
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?”
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 