"Today's data show unequivocally that Mayor de Blasio will harm children if he follows through with his plan to force place unwanted teachers into classrooms. The data confirms parent concerns: a third of the ATRs have disciplinary issues, many are ineffective, and a jaw-dropping 25 percent haven't been able to get a job for at least six years. There is not one parent in New York City who would willingly accept one of these ATRs into their child's classroom. It is unconscionable to put the worst teachers into the classrooms of the neediest students," said StudentsFirstNY Executive Director Jenny Sedlis.
His administration's claim that this is not forced placement is dishonest -- just because these aren't seniority bumps, doesn't mean that it's not forced placement.
Key new stats about the ATR revealed by DOE today:
- 32 percent entered the pool following a legal or disciplinary case
- 25 percent were in the pool for more than six years
- 12 percent received an Ineffective or Unsatisfactory rating (compared to just 1% of teachers rated ineffective overall in the 2014-15 school year)
Background:
- On November 15, 2015, StudentsFirstNY submitted a Freedom of Information request for information about the Absent Teacher Reserve that was never fulfilled.
- Parents & StudentsFirstNY have held three separate rallies outside City Hall demanding Mayor de Blasio turn over information about the ATR.
- On July 9, 2017, Mayor de Blasio announced plans to force place 400 teachers in city schools.
- On July 26, 2017 StudentsFirstNY parents protested outside Mayor de Blasio's gym demanding answers about his policy change. He ignored them and drove away.
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StudentsFirstNY is a grassroots education advocacy organization dedicated to improving public school options throughout New York State.
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