According to a New York Times editorial, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s efforts to close failing schools, open new ones, and expand charter schools, have improved education in poor communities throughout the city.
The Times notes that while this expansion of school choice has helped NYC students, the United Federation of Teachers has recently filed a lawsuit attempting to stop a plan that will open new schools or expand existing ones:
The suit’s underlying point seems political: to send a clear warning to Mr. Bloomberg’s successor that the union wants a new set of policies. Mr. Bloomberg rightly believes that shutting down failing schools and expanding the highest-performing charter schools are critical elements in any broader school reform. The union believes that things have gone too fast, and means to press the point.
