In this week's education news: NYC mayoral candidates seek an endorsement from the teachers union, one candidate lays out his full education platform, and the demand for charter schools is on the rise.
NYC Mayoral Candidates Denounce Education Reform at Teachers Union Forum
The New York Daily News // May 14, 2013
At a forum hosted by the United Federation of Teachers, NYC mayoral candidates sought the union's endorsement by promising to roll back important reforms that have improved city schools.
From the New York Daily News:
Six mayoral wanna-bes called for stripping the schools of accountability and returning to United Federation of Teachers domination at a disastrous candidates' forum.
Union boss Michael Mulgrew hosted the program and was pleased with the answers delivered by the six participants as they pursued the UFT’s support in the coming election.
Bill Thompson Outlines Education Platform
The New York Times // May 15, 2013
Democratic NYC mayoral candidate Bill Thompson outlined his education platform in a speech this week.
From the New York Times:
One of Mr. Thompson’s more distinct ideas is to allow the mayor to appoint only six of the 13 members of the Panel for Educational Policy. Since the mayor now appoints eight, it is effectively a rubber stamp for his policies. But Mr. Thompson said that the mayor should have to convince one of those he does not appoint that his ideas are sound.
Acting Executive Director of StudentsFirstNY Glen Weiner reacted to the plan, saying: "The education policies Bill Thompson outlined today failed to make the grade."
Read Weiner's full statement here.
NYC Sees High Demand for Charter School Seats
The New York Post // May 15, 2013
Charter school applications in NYC have reached a record high, but there are not enough seats for every student.
From the New York Post:
Despite opening 24 new schools this coming fall, the city’s charter sector still has at least 50,000 more applicants than available seats — a record-high number that could fill Yankee Stadium, officials said yesterday.
There will be 183 charter schools operating in the city come September, with a collective 18,600 seats to offer parents who applied for spots earlier this year.
Charter officials said the schools, which are publicly-funded but privately-run, received a flood of 181,600 applications — including an estimated 69,000 from unique applicants.
