Latest News and Comment from Education

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

UPDATE Perdido Street School: NYCDOE Loses State Tests, Punishes Students With Summer School

Perdido Street School: NYCDOE Loses State Tests, Punishes Students With Summer School:



Mark Dayton, Ravitch Honor Roll Member, Hits 57% Approval

Diane Ravitch on May 27:

Governor Mark Dayton vetoed an earmark (set-aside) of $1.5 million for Teach for America. The governor quite reasonably noted that TFA is a wealthy organization with $350 million in assets and saw no reason the state should pay to rent more of them. He suggested a competitive bidding process. Here is his veto message.


Weiner: UFT May Not Like Me, But My Mom The Teacher Does

Because he just won't go away, we have the latest stupid thing Anthony Weiner has said:

"I've been endorsed by Frances Weiner, 31-year-veteran and a member of the UFT," he said today after a transportation forum in Manhattan.

Weiner claimed he wasn't seeking the endorsement of the UFT, but was merely hoping for the 

The Bad News Is, The UFT Endorsed Thompson...

...the good news is, the UFT-endorsed candidate in a mayoral race hasn't won since 1989.

Given the abysmal turnout in the UFT elections, given that the UFT power base (the retirees) mostly resides in Florida and can't vote in a NYC election, and given that many teachers in the UFT couldn't care a whit who Mikey Mulgrew wants them to vote for in September, I don't think this endorsement helps Thompson all that much outside of the extra cash the UFT brings.

That's my initial take


NYCDOE Loses State Tests, Punishes Students With Summer School

This is outrageous:

A Brooklyn intermediate school flunked an entire eighth-grade class and told the kids they’d have to attend summer school — because bungling education officials lost their state English exams, The Post has learned.

Panicked 13- and 14-year-olds at IS 227 in Bensonhurst said their dreams of a fun summer were dashed yesterday when they were handed letters that barred them from attending their graduation this Friday.

The letters, written on school stationery, said students wouldn’t be promoted unless they attend