Education

This post authored by Harriet, from zipcode 11361

I am opposed to mayoral control of education. If there is the slightest chance that Bloomberg will be re-elected, mayoral control must be ENDED. If we get a new mayor, it must be modified.
Bloomberg and Klein run the Department of Education like a business. It isn't. We need the input of teachers and parents.
They make good schools look bad and bad schools look bad. Yes, test scores have gone up. But, in order to make them go up, all they do is spend a lot of time on test preparation.
Them make one size fit all. It doesn't.
Also, they criminalize the misbehavior of children. They put 5 year olds in handcuffs. This is unacceptable.
Also, they don't know what to do, with special education. Each case is different.
Please do something about this.

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By: Mark Green
Thursday, 3/12/2009

Harriet,

I believe mayoral control -- really mayoral accountability -- is necessary to implement a city-wide plan to improve the education our children.

But it cannot mean that parents and teachers are left out of the decision making process, as too often happens. Right now, there is little recourse for a parent trying to correct a problem with their child's education, and with the elimination of democratically elected local school boards, those in charge seem insulated from the wishes of parents.

There are two possible changes I have considered to make our education system more democratic. First, members on the Panel for Educational Policy should serve fixed terms, so that they cannot be replaced if they disagree with the Mayor on a particular policy. Second, interested stakeholders could recommend a variety of individuals to the Mayor for the Panel and then he would have to choose among them.

As Public Advocate, I will make sure that the voices of teachers and parents are heard in government.

Thanks for writing, and I would appreciate any other ideas on what can be done.

Mark

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By: Harriet J. Brown, 11361
Wednesday, 4/22/2009

If Mayor Bloomberg is re-elected, Mayoral Control of Education must be abolished. He abuses his authority. He has no respect for parents, teachers or children.

The only way for mayoral control to function properly, is with a new mayor.

Sincerely,

Harriet J. Brown

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