February 12, 2012 · www.gothamgazette.com |
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- Igor Kossov on Drawing the Line
- Igor Kossov on Bloomberg's Budget
- Sarah Crean on Ready to Frack?
- Jane C. Timm on Promises Kept
- Igor Kossov on Demanding Accountablity
Education Archive
A Fractured Senate Takes on Mayoral Control of Schools (July 2009) The fractured state Senate is unlikely to move on many controversial issues, but mayoral control of city schools seems to be the one they can't ignore.
Saving Arts Education from Politics (July 2009) The debate about mayoral control of schools should not ignore the arts, writes State Sen. José M. Serrano.
The Great School Debate (May 2009) As discussion swirls around how the city's schools should be run, Joel Klein, leading politicians, parent advocates and others weigh in on what, if anything, needs to change.
The Mayor's High Stakes Test (April 2009) After all the reports and rhetoric on mayoral control of city schools, it soon will come down to the only grade that matters -- the one from the state legislature.
Learning Another Language (April 2009) Even in diverse multicultural New York City, many students do not learn a language other than English.
New Debates Over Church, State, School and Charters (March 2009) Several parochial schools could reopen next September as public charter schools. A Hebrew language charter was just approved. Does this blur the line between secular and religious education?
Choosing Sides in the Fight Over Schools (November 2008) Another term for Mayor Bloomberg would let him run city schools for four more years-- if the legislature extends mayoral control. Look for a tough fight with warring statistics, rival reports and lots of spin.
The Three C's: Condos, Classrooms and Crowding (September 2008) Young affluent families are moving to the city and putting their kids in public schools. It may be too much of a good thing.
At Law School, Middle School Students Get on the Case (August 2008) Working with the St. John's University law school, middle school students in Queens are researching an important but forgotten school desegregation case.
The Autism Gap (June 2008) As the number of children diagnosed with the disorder increases, parents scramble to find services, raising issues involving education, equity -- and economics.
Anger and Accusations Greet Budget Cuts (May 2008)
Going Online, Digital and Interactive at the Library (May 2008) The New York Public Library has ambitious plans to remain relevant and engaging in an era when many see traditional books and paper as almost obsolete.
Time Out for Phys Ed (March 2008) The Department of Education has implemented a FitnessGRAM so parents can help their kids shape up. But in an era when standardized tests influence so much of the school day, traditional phys ed classes often fall victim to a lack of time and space.
A Battle Brews Over Who Controls the Schools (February 2008) The state put the mayor of New York City in charge of public schools – but only until 2009. What happens then? The battle has already begun.
Teaching Kids About Sex (October 2007) Sex is a fact of life for many teens in New York, but the state does not require schools to teach students about sexuality, contraception or safe sex.
Bringing Diversity to New York Elite High Schools (August 2007) New York’s top public high schools have become increasingly white and Asian, but a school opening in Manhattan next month hopes to change that.
Poor Grades for a School ‘Contract’ (July 2007) After years of litigation, the city is getting some additional state money for education. Now the disagreement centers on what to do with it.
Reorganizing the Schools (Again) (January 2007) After four year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is reorganizing the schools again, but do the changes address the problems that still persist in the city’s public schools?
Military Recruiters In High Schools (January 2007) Critics have been complaining loudly about the direct presence of military recruiters in city high schools, especially in poor neighborhoods.
The Last Word in School Funding? (November 2006) The state’s highest court has issued what could well be the last word in the long legal battle over funding for New York City schools. But a new political fight is about to begin.
Special Ed: Needs Improvement (October 2006) The Department of Education says it has strengthened services for students with disabilities, but a new state report gives the city’s program low marks.
Is Homework Necessary? Also: A Truce Over Teaching Math (September 2006) The fight over how to teach math seems to be calming down. But a new debate is heating up over whether to give homework.
The Padlocked Playgrounds (August 2006) In a city starved for recreational space, hundreds of school playgrounds remain locked and off limits during the summer and on weekends.
How Will Power Shift To The Principals? (July 2006) The Department of Education wants to transfer power to principals and away from regional offices and superintendents, but arranging the shift by the time school starts in September could be tricky.
Giving Principals More Control (June 2006) After fours years of centralization, the Department of Education wants to give principals a lot more power. Clara Hemphill reports on what some are calling a ‘180 degree turn’ in the school system.
Hanging Up on Parents? (May 2006) The furor over the ban on cell phone in city schools has highlighted concerns that the Department of Education no longer consults with parents on key issues. But would changes improve education?
Buildings, But How About Books? (April 2006) The long battle over construction funds for New York City schools appears at an end. But the fight over money for teachers, books and supplies continues.
In Defense Of Big Schools (March 2006) The closing of Seward Park High School is the sad result of the city’s misguided rush to small schools, say author Samuel Freedman and former Seward teacher Jessica Siegel.
The 37 1/2-Minute Scramble (February 2006) The Department of Education’s new 37 and a half minute sessions for struggling students raise an array of logistical and educational issues, according to a survey of disgruntled parents. Philissa Cramer of Inside Schools reports.
Improving School Food (January 2006) The city wants to improve school food. But is it possible to prepare 860,000 fresh, healthy meals every day?
School Choice, School Confusion (November 2005) Upper West Side parents confront confusing rules and application procedures as they select a school for their children, reports Inside Schools. Also, after-school programs.
The School Admissions Scramble (October 2005) Tens of thousands of New York kids as young as five years old must apply to get into a public school. Some don’t get into any. A look at the school admissions scramble.
The New New Math, And Some Old Debates Renewed (September 2005) Math education has become a hotly debated issue in schools. The latest test scores are unlikely to settle anything.
Campaign 2005: After Mayoral Control, Rivals Call For More Changes (August 2005) His Democratic rivals praise Michael Bloomberg for taking on education, and gaining mayoral control of the schools, but say they could do better. A look at the education issues in Campaign 2005.
Setbacks and Successes for Education Councils (July 2005) The new Community Education Councils (which replaced community school boards) experienced lots of frustration but saw some successes in their first year of existence, writes Judy Baum.
The 2006 School Budget -- Reasons To Be Pessimistic (June 2005) The new education budget is a lesson in optimism, but, as Gail Robinson reports, there are several reasons to be more pessimistic, such as the unrealistic assumptions in the capital budget and the unresolved teacher's contract.
Money, Class Size and Mayoral Politics (May 2005) Gail Robinson looks at the emergence as campaign issues of the fight over additional funds for city schools, and how much of it to spend on reducing class size.
Teaching Fellows Make Their Mark (May 2005) After five years, the city’s efforts to bring energetic, committed people without education training into the city’s classrooms has invigorated some schools but stumbled in others, writes Deborah Apsel of Inside Schools.
Cell Phone Ban; Special Ed in Middle Schools (April 2005) High school parents want the Department of Education to ease its ban on cell phones. Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, parents fought successfully to improve special ed programs for middle school students.
Entering the Autonomy Zone; Poll on Schools (March 2005) A pilot program for principals giving them more autonomy. Also, new poll show public dissatisfaction with the schools.
The Latest Round on School Funding (February 2005) When a State Supreme Court judge ordered that city schools get billions of dollars more than they do now, many New Yorkers cheered, some jeered, and others steeled for more tortured politics and long delays.
Real School Pests; School Funding (January 2005) Mice, rats and roaches scamper through many city schools, according to a poll by Inside Schools. And another poll finds voters across the state support more money for city schools.
Overcrowding Squeezes Learning; Also the Great Toilet Paper Debate (December 2004) Crowding in schools disrupts learning and wastes valuable classroom time, write John Thomas and Vanessa Witenko of Inside Schools. Also: the great toilet paper debate.
Why City Students Don’t Learn Science (November 2004) Most city middle schools do not have the staff, equipment or time to teach students science.
Student Drug Use; Also: Middle School Confusion (October 2004) The death of a student at the Bronx High School of Science from a heroin overdose has raised concerns about teen drug use, write Deborah Apsel and Pamela Wheaton of InsideSchools.org, who explain what schools and parents can, and should, be doing to prevent it.
School Funding and the Special Masters (September 2004) Two staff members of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity explain what has happened since the governor and the state legislature missed their court-ordered deadline for fixing the state's flawed school-funding system.
Cloning A Charter School From Connecticut (August 2004) Its supporters praise the Connecticut charter school, the Amistad Academy, which is being cloned here in New York. But Marcia Biederman compares it to a successful middle school already in Crown Heights, and asks: Do we need to outsource New York City schools?"
School Trips Go Commercial (July 2004) Instead of visiting public zoos or museums, an increasing number of schools are send students on trips to commercial stores, thanks to the efforts of a savvy marketer.
Flaws In The High School Admission Process (June 2004) Marcia Biederman looks at flaws in the new high school admissions process that are leaving some eighth-grade students without a school to go to.
Teaching Certificates Are Tougher To Get (May 2004) At the same time that the NYC public schools have launched an ambitious campaign to recruit teachers, it is suddenly harder to become one. Marcia Biederman reports on the new teaching certificate requirements and other barriers.
Will Third Graders Learn More Now? (April 2004) After all the turmoil of the last few weeks, will third graders actually learn more? Marcia Biederman explores their new curriculum.
Adult Education Cuts (March 2004) Cuts in the city’s adult education programs, writes Marcia Biederman, risk diminishing what is already “the best kept secret in town.”
Ending Social Promotion, Once Again (February 2004) There is a new plan to "end social promotion" in public school, and Raymond Domanico, whose job 20 years ago was to evaluate a similar plan, looks at what it would take to make it work this time around.
New York's Children Left Behind? (January 2004) Are New York's children being left behind by federal policies?
School Contracts: Do They Serve The Students? (December 2003) Critics charge that contracts with teachers, administrators and school custodians may serve the adults in the schools rather than the students. Jessica Wolff reports on the recent, controversial City Council hearings on these contracts.
The New High Schools Admissions Process (November 2003) A look at the new high school admissions process – and what can be learned by the confusion surrounding it.
Class Size Limited By Law? (October 2003) Thanks to a recent judicial decision, voters will be asked in November to consider whether the number of students per class should be limited by law. Jessica Wolff argues this might not be such a good idea.
Judging School Reform (September 2003) The new school year promises a rocky start because of the Bloomberg administration's ambitious new school reforms. But "New Yorkers should not rush to judgment," advise Raymond Domanicco and Jessica Wolff, who offer 11 questions to ask, beyond test scores, when it is indeed time to judge.
High School Push Outs (August 2003) Jessica Wolff looks at the disturbing trend of low-performing students being driven to drop out of school in order to increase their (former) schools’ overall test scores.
Gearing Up For The Changes (July 2003) Jessica Wolff reports how the city’s school officials are working hard all summer to try to get the newly reorganized school system in place for the fall.
The School-Funding Victory (June 2003) The state’s highest court has reversed a lower court decision, and ruled that every student is entitled to the opportunity for a meaningful high school education – a ruling, says two staff members for the winning plaintiffs, that is a clear-cut victory for New York City’s public school students.
Mayor's Education Plan Challenged; Also: School-Funding Case Continues (June 2003) The restructuring of the school system proceeds despite challenges, Jessica Wolff reports. Also: school-funding case heard by state's highest court.
Proposed Changes In Special Education (May 2003) Joseph Wardenski offers details of the Department of Education’s plan to change special education, and how it has been criticized.
Making The List (April 2003) Jessica Wolff looks at "the list" - the 209 successful schools that do not have to adopt the new uniform curriculum, and why so many people are angry about it. Also: opportunities for educational activism (a brief calendar of hearings, marches, etc.)
The Governor's Proposed Budget And Its Effect On NYC Schools (March 2003) The governor's proposed budget would disproportionately affect New York City schools.
Shaking Up the School System (February 2003) The Department of Education has begun implementing the sweeping changes Mayor Bloomberg proposed last month, redrawing the school system map, appointing regional superintendents and making decisions about the curriculum for 1,000 public schools.
Chancellor Klein So Far (October 2002)
Chancellor Klein's Right-Hand Woman: Who is Diana Lam? (September 2002)
The New Chancellor (August 2002)
Albany's Sway Over City Schools (July 2002)
School Deals Near (June 2002)
Community School Boards' Uncertain Future (May 2002)
To Test or Not To Test? (April 2002)
The Edison Schools Controversy (February 2001)
