In Case You Missed It: "Turnaround" lawsuit will be decided by June

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, May 21):

MONDAY

• Mayor Bloomberg sarcastically chided the UFT for blasting a lawsuit alleging President Michael Mulgrew had sex in a Brooklyn school, saying he was “glad” that the union “suddenly opposes” frivolous lawsuits: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bloomberg-mocks-teachers-union-sex-lawsuit-article-1.1082058
• The attorney who filed the suit against Mulgrew was once fined $21,000 for pushing a case “without any bases in law or fact”: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/uft_boss_is_under_fire_BP7z4Cl99Jj59iAr8oPC0H

TUESDAY

• A Times report showed a shift in student demographics in the decade following the end of open admissions at CUNY, noting a drop in the overall population of African American students and a rise in Asians: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/23/nyregion/at-cunys-top-colleges-black-and-hispanic-freshmen-enrollments-drop.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

WEDNESDAY

• After a series of high-profile errors on the latest state exams, there is a movement among parents to opt their children out of new question “field tests” by testing company Pearson: http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/05/23/more-parents-are-saying-no-to-pearsons-field-tests/?partner=rss&emc=rss
• A number of parent leaders in the community-based schools movement are eyeing runs for elected office: http://gothamschools.org/2012/05/23/sensing-political-possibility-parents-prep-campaigns/
• The Panel for Education Policy approved a DOE plan to incentivize schools to move special education students out of separate classrooms and educate them alongside their peers; some critics said the new policy would trip the overall special ed budget at the expense of those students: http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/05/24/city-panel-approves-special-education-inclusion-plan/?partner=rss&emc=rss

THURSDAY

• Mitt Romney proposed a significant reduction in the federal government’s role in education, and, potentially, a major shift in government funding of private schools: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304065704577422630944335606.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5
• Advocates are asking the State for more time and support before requiring high school graduates to qualify for a Regents diploma this year: http://gothamschools.org/2012/05/23/advocates-seek-last-minute-extension-of-less-rigorous-diploma/

FRIDAY/WEEKEND

•  The City and unions agreed a speedy arbitration process was important to determine whether or not plans for “turnaround” at 24 schools would move forward, resolving to settle their dispute by the end of June: http://gothamschools.org/2012/05/25/turnaround-arbitration-to-take-place-with-uncharacteristic-speed/
• The one-two punch of State education cuts and the new 2% property tax cap have had such adverse effects on local school districts that many cities and towns do not even have the option to fix, according to Alliance for Quality Education head Billy Easton: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/26/opinion/the-danger-in-school-spending-cuts.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
• The Times Michael Winerip questions Bloomberg’s logic (and seriousness) behind his plan to eliminate after-school programming: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/28/nyregion/new-york-after-school-programs-may-face-trims.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss