Latest News and Comment from Education

Saturday, January 25, 2014

1-25-14 Ed Notes Online Week

Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online




NYSUT Board Unites on Call for Removal of John King
Oh, wait, did the NYSUT board forget about no confidence in Meryl Tisch and her removal? Well, they don't seem to disagree on John King. Then what do they disagree on? Bet it starts with a C and ends with an O. I bet there's a lot of political action going on once that bit of business is over. Ahhh, I remember the days when Mulgrew raved about John King and Meryl Tisch. The resolution will next go
NYC Teachers at PS 8X Jump Into NYSUT Fray
It is time for NYSUT’s locals to unite against the useless behemoth of a local called the UFT and take steps to protect the hardworking teachers of NYS... A group of teachers at PS 8 in the Bronx.I spoke with Andy this past summer and expressed my frustration with the lack of leadership on tackling Albany and the DOE head on. Andy's a peacemaker.  I'm a fighter... Roseanne McCosh, former chapter l

YESTERDAY

The State of Politics: UFT Sides With Insurgents In NYSUT Power Struggle
If Iannuzzi has to go how about Randi Weingarten? Duhhhh! We told you from Day 1 Pallotta was Mulgrew's tool. I'm putting in a tab up top of the blog where I will keep links from Ed Notes and some other sources as this gets played out.For those of you who have not following the ed notes coverage of this NYSUT internal struggle, as we predicted from Day 1 Mulgrew has been behind it. A pointed out U

JAN 23

More NYSUT Internals: Valley Central TA President Supports Iannuzzi
Capital Tonight reports that an NYSUT analysis shows 69% of school districts will be receiving less aid in Cuomo's proposed budget than they got in 2009.... Reality-Based EducatorOne hundred and seven (107), approximately 25% of teaching staff positions, have been cut in the past 5 years and it is Governor Cuomo who is primarily responsible for establishing, promoting or continuing the policies th

JAN 22

Danny Dromm Gives Us All a Voice
Can the ed deform world be coming apart any faster? I just loved this piece from Eliza Shapiro at Capital.Dromm echoes educational philosophy of de Blasio, Fariña By Eliza Shapiro 4:25 p.m. | Jan. 22, 2014 Daniel Dromm's immediate priorities as the City Council's newly appointed education committee chair reflect the tone of the de Blasio administration: More pre-K, less testing, and a focus on pro
Internal President's Letters Expose NYSUT Rift and Support for Iannuzzi?
The inaction of the legislative office has forced Dick's hand to move the discussion in our favor. He has twice sued the state (APPR and Tax Cap) and pushed the June 8 rally (despite Andy's opposition).... The leader, as I see it, of this insurrection is E. V. P. Andy Pallotta. ... President, Westchester union localUnity began as a vehicle to represent all members of the State but in Washington la

JAN 21

Saturday Jan. 25: Stop and Reverse the Disappearing of Black and Latino Educators in NYC
Sean Ahern has led the efforts to bring this issue to the fore almost since I met him when we helped form ICE 10 years ago. He has moved steadily forward by building coalitions with all the groups named below. This Saturday the Ad Hoc committee for Teacher Diversity is sponsoring a meeting to address the issue. If this were only happening in NYC we would be able to look at the local conditions alo
Portelos Update - Clear Evidence of support for him
My bad back prevented me from attending recently but this report was sent from two of the MOREistas there observing and some anon comments from what appear to be parents.  - I was hoping to go today but have to drive a friend to the doctor. And there's another session scheduled for Weds though the snowstorm may kill that.These are the 2 MOREista retirees who have attended most of the hearings.Reti
Loretta and Gene Prisco 70th Birthday, Jan. 19, 2013
Photo from the Goldfine/Rashal wedding 2 years ago. Loretta and Gene back row. We all gathered at Gene's memorial on Jan. 5. (video to come)We all met in the early 70s and have remained a tight group politically and socially since. Gene Prisco's memorial a few weeks ago reminded us of the ties - and Loretta struggles with a very serious illness. Here is something to remember from happier times jus
PS 106 Update: Instead of Holding Bloomberg Accountable, NY Post and Eric Cantor Calls For Vouchers
If you tried to write the most bizarre stories you can imagine it is really hard to match the NY Post. Chalkbeat lists loads of NY Post PS 106 stories (see below for links), including Cantor's call for vouchers as the answer to the PS 106 neglect. Cantor says, "Decisions over educating our kids should start at the home with parents."Well parents at PS 106 did ask for a voucher but to hav

JAN 19

Duking it Out in NYSUT - At the Top
On Saturday evening PJSTA (Port Jefferson Station) President Beth Dimino delivered the following message to the members of the PJSTA… For the record, the PJSTA will NOT endorse a slate of NYSUT Officers, led by Andy Pallotta, that endorse and use our vote cope money to pad Cuomo’s war chest! The PJSTA is leading the charge against this heinous act and will support individuals that oppose Pallotta 

JAN 18

Strange Bedfellows On Cuomo Team: Eva, DFER and Mikey
Guess who is joining Cuomo's list of privateers? MEMORANDUMTO:        NYSUT Board of DirectorsFROM:  Andy Pallotta, Executive Vice PresidentDATE:   January 15, 2014RE:        NYSUT's Legislative ReceptionOn Monday evening, January 27, 2014, NYSUT will host a Legislative Reception and briefing in the Observation Deck of the Erastus Corning Tower at the Empire State Plaza.  The reception will be hel
EIA Picks up Our NYSUT Story
This is a BIG DEAL because NYSUT not only ran a $24 million deficit in 2011-12, but the largest state union affiliate in the nation has a net worth of negative $303 million. If Revive NYSUT is telling the truth, there ought to be red flags going up from Albany to Washington, DC. New York State United Teachers budget deficit-$24,065,575 -$302,863,241.. Educational Intelligence AgencyIs “Revive NYSU
Looming Battle: Mulgrew vs Iannuzzi For NYSUT Leadership - Split Over Cuomo Endorsement?
Oh, the tangled web at NYSUT and the UFT. A very intriguing story is emerging in what has been viewed as a monolithic UFT dominated NYSUT (NY State United Teachers). Some of this is hearsay and we may have follow-ups with new information and new interpretations over the next few days. But here is what we have heard so far. (WARNING- YOU MAY HAVE PROBLEMS WADING THROUGH THIS WEB -I'M STILL WORKING
My Old District in the News
Oy, the stories I could tell. There was a time when some people urged me to start my car by remote control.But these stories are a bit beyond the pale and surprised even jaded old me --- except .... never mind.Educator Who Allegedly Sexually Abused Students Ran for City CouncilBy Meredith Hoffman on September 9, 2013 9:19am @Merhoffmanhttp://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130909/east-williamsburg/educ