In Case You Missed It: No teacher cuts; Cuomo's ed commission; More Pineapple fallout

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:

MONDAY

• Michael Winerip of the Times argued the City’s report card system for grading schools is flawed, showing seemingly small differences between two Bronx schools: one received an “A” while the other received an “F”: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/nyregion/on-report-cards-for-nyc-schools-invisible-line-divides-a-and-f.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
• Public Advocate de Blasio suggested City Hall also release evaluations of its staffers after the mayor continued to push for a full public release of teacher evaluations: http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2012/04/5810434/de-blasio-suggests-treating-bloombergs-staffers-teachers
• Diane Ravitch wrote on her new blog that New York’s standardized tests had so many mistakes because the State spent much less on exams than other states:http://dianeravitch.net/2012/04/28/new-yorks-bargain-basement-tests/
• Governor Cuomo announced the members of his education commission: http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/04/30/cuomo-forms-panel-to-make-action-plan-for-education/?partner=rss&emc=rss

TUESDAY

• Activist parents made 1,364 phone calls to City Hall to protest the mayor’s plan to cut childcare slots and after-school programming from next year’s budget:http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2012/05/5817132/protesting-parents-call-city-hall-leave-voicemails
• Angry parents from Manhattan’s District 2 filled a hearing on two proposed charter schools: http://gothamschools.org/2012/05/02/parents-contest-charter-schools-proposed-for-crowded-district-2/
• The Daily News profiled the New Settlement Parent Action Committee’s campaign to educate parents about District 9′s struggles by visiting all of the Bronx area’s 26 schools in 26 days: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/school-advocates-put-district-9-bronx-education-department-charge-article-1.1069882

WEDNESDAY

• Two Brooklyn parents criticized the City’s over-reliance on testing to evaluate students, teachers and schools — and to make decisions about their futures — arguing that the stress has become too much for kids and families: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/a-testing-culture-control-article-1.1070865
• The State eliminated a fourth question from the annual exams as Pineapple-gate continued: http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/05/02/state-officials-throw-out-another-pearson-test-question/?partner=rss&emc=rss
• Meredith Kolodner reported that 27 high schools have been exempted by the City from enrolling a mandated number of special needs students this fall: http://insideschools.org/blog/item/1000323-elite-schools-get-special-ed-pass

THURSDAY

•  A City audit given to the Post showed that about one-in-four teachers at 17 inspected schools were not teaching the minimum number of classes requited by their contract: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/teachers_work_shirk_1ngGwkRJLkEsvqbbxFS2DL
• Eva Moskowitz said she was considering a run for mayor, and would decide by the end of May: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/03/nyregion/new-york-city-republican-leaders-seeking-candidate-for-mayor.html?_r=1
• For the first time in years, the mayor’s budget does not include cuts to the number of teachers in City schools: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/nyregion/bloomberg-restores-2500-teaching-jobs-in-latest-budget-proposal.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
• With phase outs and closings adding up, Bronx parents are having a hard time finding acceptable high school options, the Daily News wrote: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/bronx-parents-feel-strapped-school-options-neighborhoods-lottery-hope-article-1.1071415

FRIDAY

• Pearson, the testing company contracted by the State to administer its exams, defended itself and the infamous Pineapple: http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/05/04/pearson-says-its-tests-are-valid-and-reliable/