SCHOOL MATTERS

From New York City Councilmember Brad Lander

Over the past few days, I've heard from many of you, furious with Mayor Bloomberg's nomination of the absurdly unqualified Cathie Black for NYC schools chancellor.

I agree. As I wrote on Huffington Post the nomination of Ms. Black – with no background in education, no track record of public service or knowledge of government, and no demonstrated commitment to public education – through a brazenly secret process, reeks of contempt for democracy and disregard for our kids.

And there's more at stake than just cronyism. Her appointment is also a symbol of a critical choice we are facing: Are our public schools a place to educate well−rounded citizens for the New York City of tomorrow? Or are they the junior academy of corporate America, oriented around test−taking and the bottom line?

So, it's time to stand up for our schools.

Right now online

Because she has no educational experience, under State Law Ms. Black requires a waiver stating that her "exceptional training and experience are the substantial equivalent" of teaching experience and academic credentials. How anyone could make this argument with a straight face, I'm really not sure.

Sign this petition to urge State Education Commissioner David Steiner not to grant her a waiver.

I'll be working with my colleagues in the Council, other elected officials, parents, educators, and allies in this effort over the next week.

Wednesday at City Hall

Councilmember Jumaane Williams has introduced a City Council Resolution calling on the State to deny the waiver to Ms. Black. Join me and other members of the City Council on the steps of City Hall at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in support of Councilmember Williams's Resolution.

This Friday morning at a local school

Join parents and educators from local schools in a protest against the Mayor's plans to make public the so-called "grades" of individual teachers, based solely on the test scores of the kids in their classrooms. This system bears little or no relationship to good teaching. As I wrote in the Huffington Post piece, "test-score-based public shaming is not the approach of a self-respecting democratic society."

When: Friday, November 19th @ 8:15 a.m.

Where: Events taking place at:

• PS 321, where I will be: 180 7th Avenue, Brooklyn
• MS 51: 350 5th Avenue, Brooklyn
• PS 29: 425 Henry Street, Brooklyn

... and the list is growing.

You can also sign a petition on this issue as well.

It is possible to have a well-run school system, with real accountability for teachers and principals, based on more than test scores and a corporate model. We can and must strive for a system in which all kids can demonstrate success in reading and math – and where they also become critical thinkers, creative writers and artists, and democratic citizens who can work together in teams.

But it sure doesn't look like the way that Mayor Bloomberg is headed right now, with test-score-based public shaming of teachers, and an unqualified schools chancellor nomination selected without process.

So please sign the waiver petition, check out my Huffington Post Op Ed, and come out to a neighborhood school to make your voice heard this Friday.

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