Monday, November 29, 2010

Education reform: Have business-savvy officials improved big-city schools? - CSMonitor.com

Education reform: Have business-savvy officials improved big-city schools? - CSMonitor.com

Education reform: Have business-savvy officials improved big-city schools?

Big-city mayors have been turning to leaders from the business world to push their agenda of education reform. Critics say schools need leadership from educators.

Washington, D.C., Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee announced her resignation Oct. 13 at a news conference that came shortly after the primary loss of Mayor Adrian Fenty – a loss partly attributed to public opposition to her proposed reforms.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

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By Amanda Paulson, Staff writer / November 29, 2010

Chicago

New York Mayor Michael Bloom berg surprised many people in early November with his choice of successor to schools chancellor Joel Klein, who announced he was stepping down after an eight-year tenure in which he added charter schools, closed failing schools, and gave more power to

Cathie Black gets her Wheels

Cathie Black gets her Wheels


State waiver clears Cathie Black to replace Joel Klein as Mayor Bloomberg's city schools chancellor

State waiver clears Cathie Black to replace Joel Klein as Mayor Bloomberg's city schools chancellor

State waiver clears Cathie Black to replace Joel Klein as Mayor Bloomberg's city schools chancellor

Tuesday, November 30th 2010, 4:00 AM

Cathie Black now has the green light to become the city schools chancellor.
Patino for News
Cathie Black now has the green light to become the city schools chancellor.

Cathie Black, the magazine executive tapped by Mayor Bloomberg to run the city school system, was granted a necessary state waiver on Monday.

Black now has the green light to replace outgoing Chancellor Joel Klein, whose last day will be Dec. 31.

"After careful review," wrote state Education Commissioner David Steiner, "it is my judgment that, when viewed in its entirety, Ms. Black's training, background and experience are substantially equivilent to the certification requirements set forth in



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/11/29/2010-11-29_state_waiver_clears_cathie_black_to_replace_joel_klein_as_mayor_bloombergs_city_.html#ixzz16iKi9XZb

Andrew Wolf: State Ed Commissioner Caves to Pressure from the Billionaire Boys Club

Andrew Wolf: State Ed Commissioner Caves to Pressure from the Billionaire Boys Club
Andrew Wolf

Andrew Wolf

Posted: November 29, 2010 03:07 PM

In an attempt to "compromise" and satisfy everyone, State Education Commissioner David M. Steiner appears to have satisfied no one. Cathie Black may now have the waiver needed to get the job of New York City schools chancellor, but Mayor Bloomberg has suffered his worst political embarrassment since his dream of a west side football stadium was vaporized by the State Legislature. He will not forgive or forget.

After it appeared last week that Ms. Black might not obtain the waiver she needed to win the job, Mr. Steiner seemed once again the shining knight, fighting for high standards and educational professionalism. Since he caved to the Bloomberg pressure, critics of the Black appointment are becoming more cynical.

The education "reform" movement, so much in vogue, loves Ms. Black. To them, the less you know