The protesters will "hold hands, form a human chain and surround their schools to show how they are determined to protect their schools from Governor Cuomo’s attempt to defund, dismantle and privatize our public schools."
In our neighborhood, PS 58 and PS 261 have organized a march down Smith St that begins in the PS 58 school yard (Carroll St) at 3:10 and culminates in the PS 261 school yard (Pacific St). Anyone in the community is invited to join the march to support NYS public education.
According to the New York Times, the plan includes "making a teacher evaluation system rely more heavily on state tests, raising the number of charter schools in the state and allowing failing schools to be taken over by outside groups." If Cuomo's proposal becomes law, state aid will be increased by $1.1 billion.
The proposals are up for a vote on April 1.
In our neighborhood, PS 58 and PS 261 have organized a march down Smith St that begins in the PS 58 school yard (Carroll St) at 3:10 and culminates in the PS 261 school yard (Pacific St). Anyone in the community is invited to join the march to support NYS public education.
Likewise PS 32 will hold a protest at 3:00 PM, PS 29 at 8:00 AM and MS51 at 8:15 AM.
For a complete list of participating Brooklyn Schools, check here.
According to the New York Times, the plan includes "making a teacher evaluation system rely more heavily on state tests, raising the number of charter schools in the state and allowing failing schools to be taken over by outside groups." If Cuomo's proposal becomes law, state aid will be increased by $1.1 billion.
The proposals are up for a vote on April 1.
In our neighborhood, PS 58 and PS 261 have organized a march down Smith St that begins in the PS 58 school yard (Carroll St) at 3:10 and culminates in the PS 261 school yard (Pacific St). Anyone in the community is invited to join the march to support NYS public education.
Likewise PS 32 will hold a protest at 3:00 PM, PS 29 at 8:00 AM and MS51 at 8:15 AM.
For a complete list of participating Brooklyn Schools, check here.
From the Governor's Report:
ReplyDeleteAs of this year, school aid is at its highest level ever and over 65 percent of recent increases were directed to high-need school districts. But, there is still progress to be made:
• New York lags behind 31 other states in student performance in math on “the nation’s report card”;
• Barely three in four students graduate from high school on time;
• The graduation rate achievement gap between Black and Latino students and white students persists, especially when it comes to the percent of students earning Advanced Degree diplomas.
• Only 38 percent of students who do graduate from high school are college- and career-ready
• Only one-third of students in grades 3-8 scored at the proficient level and above in math and English Language Arts.
Now what this marching looking to protect?
PS58 and 261 are not "as-risk" elementary schools.
As a reminder, NYC K-12 schools consume more than 1/3 of our city budget and plenty of state funds. And isn't the Governor's education proposal more about helping the SUNY and CUNY schools? Is the march in opposition to all of what the Governor has proposed?
The PS58 and PS261 school communities as well as other school communities in our District (and throughout our State) are very concerned about how the Governor's proposed education agenda (which he has tied to the state budget which will be up for a vote on April 1) would adversely impact their schools. They (along with everyone else who supports public education in NYS) are standing up and saying "NO" to the Governor's proposals. For details on some of the concerns that have been raised, take a look at these letters from our neighborhood schools and from people throughout the NYS:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ps261.org/events/2014-2015/FINAL_Budget%20Letter_Families-1.pdf
http://www.bns146.org/content/letter-bns-teachers-families-21115
http://www.nyteacherletter.org/
^Anonymous
ReplyDeleteThe Budget being voted on this April has a statewide change to the teacher evaluation process changing the weight of standardized tests up and adding "outside independent" evaluations reducing principle observations to a total weight to 15% . For local PS58 and PS29 this will effectively make them teach to tests and reduce or *remove* any non-traditional education (choice time, PE, art, science) and insert test prep. The worst part is that K-2 grade teachers will be evaluated on test scores from grades 3-5.
Ron said: "The worst part is that K-2 grade teachers will be evaluated on test scores from grades 3-5."
ReplyDeleteNow if that is the worst part, it is very hard to understand what all the ruckus is over.
The schools have always rallied parents like this. We all wish it was about the students, but is is always about the political power struggle within the unchanging institution, the parents and the students serve as pawns.
Anon 3:08 PM - Do you have children in NYS public school right now? It is so very much about them. Their education is geared toward these tests more and more every year. Soon there will be nothing left but worksheets by Pearson to prepare for tests by Pearson.
ReplyDeleteGovernor Cuomo's budget takes money from public schools and gives it to the wealthiest charter schools whose boards are run by his biggest donors. And while those wealthy charter schools give lip service to caring about the students in failing schools, that's all it is -- lip service. Gov. Cuomo's favorite charter school -- Success Academy -- dropped lottery priority for students zoned for failing public schools just as soon as they moved into Cobble Hill a few years ago. I wonder if the person posting all the pro-Cuomo facts is associated with that school.
ReplyDelete