In Case You Missed It: Prelude to an Evaluation Deal

Here on EdVox we’re excited to bring you the latest news about education issues and policies affecting our communities. It can be hard to keep up with all of the events and happenings, so – in case you missed it… Here is a recap of the latest stories in NYC education news, starting with the oldest (Tuesday, January 17th):

TUESDAY

• Governor Cuomo offered more state funding for schools and targeted a good chunk to high-needs districts in his budget proposal, but made much of the funding contingent on teacher evaluations and performance:http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/01/17/cuomos-budget-targets-evaluations-busing-and-special-ed/?partner=rss&emc=rss
• Cuomo also issued an ultimatum to the state’s teachers union, NYSUT, over an evaluation system:http://gothamschools.org/2012/01/17/in-state-budget-proposal-cuomo-issues-evaluations-ultimatum/
• Mayor Bloomberg said the UFT does not “give a s**t” if the City gets more school aid:http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/mike_uft_doesn_give_about_losing_0hcOh01ve6e0qMF9jc4v7O

WEDNESDAY

• Teachers interrupted and walked out of the Panel for Educational Policy meeting, protesting the mayor’s plan to close an reopen 33 struggling schools, his recent criticism of their union and plans to force an evaluation system they consider unfair:http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/01/19/teachers-turn-out-in-force-at-pep-meeting/
• Meredith Kolodner investigated enrollment statistics at the City’s specialized high schools, and found a stark disparity between citywide race and income rates and the makeup of those schools’ student populations:http://insideschools.org/blog/item/1000219-do-screened-schools-screen-out-poor-kids
• The Daily News reported Latino leaders in Williamsburg believe Success Charter Network is discriminating against their community as it markets to parents there:http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/latino-residents-southside-williamsburg-success-charter-network-succeeds-excluding-article-1.1008377?localLinksEnabled=false

THURSDAY

• The City was put on the defensive at a Council hearing examining its abysmal college readiness numbers.  DOE called preparedness a “relatively new” measure of school success, and claimed it would “double” the number of students ready for college by 2016:http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/01/19/city-says-it-will-focus-on-college-readiness/
• DOE officials holding “hearings” at City schools slated for closure were met with protests and packed rooms of angry parents and community members:http://gothamschools.org/2012/01/20/at-p-s-161-a-renewed-call-for-more-time-to-show-improvement/ &  http://gothamschools.org/2012/01/20/at-satellite-iii-blame-for-decline-placed-on-short-term-principal
• Cuomo endorsed Bloomberg’s merit pay plan for teachers: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/gov-cuomo-moment-truth-teacher-evaluation-battle-article-1.1009032

FRIDAY

• Bloomberg criticized unions and pushed for his newest education initiatives in a speech to the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C.: http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/01/20/in-washington-mayor-bloomberg-makes-his-case-for-teacher-evaluations/
• NYSUT and the State Department of Education reportedly neared a compromise on teacher evaluations: http://gothamschools.org/2012/01/20/state-level-conflict-over-teacher-evals-said-to-be-near-resolution/