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Mike Mulgrew's comments make clear that the UFT's intentions in these contract negotiations had nothing to do with helping kids. Everything in the contract requires far more scrutiny and far more explanation.

Mulgrew saw the teachers contract as an opportunity to settle scores rather than as a tool to improve schools for kids. He admitted to trying to undermine teacher evaluations, and alluded to ulterior motives behind the much touted lab schools and ATR reforms. That's an admission that he acted in bad faith, and raises red flags about the level of collegiality between him and the de Blasio administration.

For several days, the de Blasio Administration has been hiding behind flowery rhetoric in place of real details about the teachers contract. Now that those details are starting to trickle out, we can finally see what they were hiding. This contract is a sweetheart deal for the UFT that comes at the expense of New York City schoolchildren.

For months we have been urging the administration to solve the problem of the ATR pool in a way that will keep ineffective teachers out of the classroom. We have not yet seen the fine print, and while we're optimistic that the administration heeded our call, we will remain vigilant in ensuring that no child will be forced to suffer an ineffective teacher.

Thanks to Governor Cuomo's leadership, this year's budget is a major step forward in improving education in New York State.

New York's students deserve serious leaders who are willing to stand up for them and fight for higher standards. Thanks to Governor Cuomo and the State Senate leadership, New York's students are on the path to getting the high quality public education they deserve.

Once again, the de Blasio Administration is trying to be on every side of a critical issue, but the rhetoric doesn’t match reality. Last month, Mayor de Blasio was asked about a plan to eliminate the Absent Teacher Reserve (ATR) and he said “it’s something I would approve.” At a City Council Education Committee budget hearing earlier today, Chancellor Carmen Farina came out forcefully against forced placement. Unfortunately, she refused to answer the inevitable follow question of what will actually happen to teachers currently in the ATR pool.

“In the last three years, under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York State has taken concrete steps towards improving our education system. These efforts include putting in place a teacher evaluation system that makes accountability and performance a priority, as well as making the state a national leader in the adoption of higher learning standards. The Governor recognized that for years, the response to lagging performance results in New York’s schools had been more money from Albany – but throwing money at the problem is not a long-term or effective solution. New York remains one of the highest spenders per pupil, yet our school results rank in the middle in the nation. This lawsuit by New Yorkers for Students’ Educational Rights is based on a failed idea that has not delivered the better outcomes that our children deserve."

In a major victory for the State Education Department, Judge Breslin of New York's Supreme Court ruled in favor of Commissioner John King and against anti-data activists on every single count, asserting that Commissioner King followed all applicable laws and instituted all of the necessary protections on student data.

The report issued today clearly demonstrates that the Regents, Chancellor Tisch and Commissioner King have heard the concerns raised as New York moves to higher standards. We are pleased that the Regents reiterated their support for moving forward with higher standards while offering solutions for reducing the amount of class time spent on standardized tests.

"Kids who attend struggling schools don't have time to wait for endless debates in Albany -- they need higher standards now. We owe it to these children to move forward with higher standards without delay. It is time for leaders in Albany to step up and help improve rather than block implementation of the Common Core, which is why the Governor established a commission of experts and the Regents pledged to review the issue and make adjustments. We look forward to the recommendations of the Governor's panel and to working constructively with stakeholders to implement higher standards in New York schools."