Voters disapprove 43-33 percent of the job Schools Chancellor Joel Klein is doing, a new Quinnipiac University poll finds. “New Yorkers give Mayor Bloomberg good marks on dealing with crime and so-so marks on education,” Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said. “But Police Commissioner Kelly’s approval rating has slid since the Sean Bell case, and Schools Chancellor Klein’s grades remain negative.”
The poll reports that
by a 58-31 percent margin, voters say an independent board of education should control the public schools — not the mayor. Looking at control of individual public schools, 38 percent of voters prefer neighborhood-based boards of education should have most control, with 33 percent who say principals should have most control and 18 percent who say officials from the Education Department should have control.
4 Comments:
1 curious3
· Mar 16, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I love that phrase: “independent board of education”. I can almost hear the sound of the education establishment salivating.
Ken
2 jd2718
· Mar 16, 2007 at 9:13 pm
I wasn’t very interested when we supported mayoral control. The argument seemed silly. What were we going to get? Hold a politician accountable? Yeah, right.
I haven’t been impressed by the arguments against mayoral control.
We as a union have more important places to direct our attentions and energies.
Jonathan
3 phyllis c. murray
· Mar 17, 2007 at 7:52 am
“WHEN KNOWLEGE SPEAKS, WISDOM LISTENS”
By Phyllis C. Murray
On March 16, 2007 the United Federation of Teachers launched the “Have You Listened to a Teacher?” campaign throughout New York City Public Schools. The UFT members at P.S. 75X were part of this initiative which the UFT began in January 2007 in Albany. The UFTers of 75X were rolled into action at 7:30 a.m. as they wore their buttons, posted signs, and met in consultation with the administrators. Throughout the day, the UFT “Listen to a Teacher Campaign” gathered momentum: in the newspapers, on television and the Internet.
The “Listen to a Teacher Campaign” stresses involvement of the teacher-stakeholders in all critical areas, where decisions are being made. And we are certain that the voice of educators can prevent a total disruption to the education process. Educators have already “lived” through two school reorganization debacles. These reorganizations were designed without consulting educators or parents or students. Now, as teachers, parents, and students anticipate the third reorganization, the question may be:”How will this reorganization end?”
The “Listen to a Teacher Campaign” has arrived at a critical time because the teachers, parents and students in New York City Public Schools need a voice in matters which impact their lives, daily. Certainly, when it comes to issues which focus on education, the decision making process cannot be left solely to bureaucrats because “Egos have small ears.” Robert Schuller
All stakeholders need to be involved. This is what democracy is all about: A Government by the people. Thus, when Knowledge speaks, WISDOM should listen. It’s elementary!!
N.B. “When Knowlege speaks, WISDOM must Listen” Quotation by Jimi Hendricks
4 institutional memory
· Mar 19, 2007 at 12:32 pm
HENDRIX, SCHULLER: STRANGE BEDFELLOWS?
Phyllis C. Murray, who makes a good point (as usual), might be the first writer ever to cite both Robert Schuller and Jimi Hendrix.
Next up: Joan of Arc and Marilyn Manson.