The New York Post made me smile this morning (didn’t think I’d ever utter those words together) with this article, claiming that if elected mayor Bill de Blasio is going to be a problem for our God awful governor. Particularly appealing is the supposed stance de Blasio will take against charter schools. Color me skeptical, given the fact that every politician of prominence tends to cave to school deformers like Cuomo. Still it’s nice to dream.
Our friends at the MORE Caucus have begun to circulate a petition calling for a moratorium on the new teacher evaluation system in New York City. The PJSTA stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters from MORE and opposes any teacher evaluation system based upon standardized test scores. Please take a moment to sign their petition. To read a bit about their evaluation system click here.
Just a reminder that every PJSTA member should be writing their letters to Senator John Flanagan. To recap, Flanagan, whose top campaign contributor last year was Michelle Rhee‘s Students Last First with a contribution of $10,300, is the head of the New York State Senate’s Education Committee. He is holding hearings around the state to inform his committee about how the education “reforms” are working. You know, the ones based on junk science? The ones that are leading Governor Cuomo to put schools on death row? Those “reforms”. The hearings are by “invite only”. Guess who isn’t invited? That’s right, real teachers. However, we can submit written testimony. Any written testimony must become part of the permanent record and all members of the committee will receive copies of it. Therefore we can make our voices heard in that manner. It is important that we all participate in this action and encourage our friends to do the same. To download a form letter for submission visit Students, Not Scores! After you finish your letter please give it to a building rep.
Finally, at a recent Rhee town hall event a student had this to say…
One year ago yesterday the Chicago Teachers Union went on strike over many of the same issues that teachers across the United States are facing.
Here is CTU President Karen Lewis talking about why they fought…
A few good reads from around the web…
School Finance 101’s Bruce Baker with “On Death Penalties for Schools and Misplaced Outrage”
Ravitch discusses “Why Hedge Fund Managers are So Interested in School Reform”
Kris Nielsen reviews Davis Guggenheim’s TEACH, that aired Friday evening at 6:00 pm on CBS (My apologies… Sue Niver gave me the heads up on it but I didn’t have a chance to link to it before it was shown!). Nielsen says it delivered the “same tired infomercial”
EduShyster discusses how Chicago is planning to continue closing more public schools and then significantly expanding their number of charter schools. Then they will staff those charter schools with temp workers Teach for America “teachers”. The Badass Teachers Association’s Mark Naisson calls it an “a declaration of war on teachers, students, and hard pressed neighborhoods, and a throwback to the ugly years before the Great Depression when union busting was the American Way.”
A few links for your reading pleasure before classes start on Monday morning…
The best article I have read all week (and why you should be following what’s happening in Philly).
Cuomo wants to double down on failing schools and take dramatic action. (We know what that means).
Ravitch with Why Hedge Fund Managers Are So Interested in School Reform… she touches on the public school hating Democrats for Education Reform and Barack Obama
A group of activists wants the CTU’s Karen Lewis to run for mayor against the public school hating Rahm Emanuel in 2015.
AQE’s response to Cuomo’s “death penalty” comment.
WaPo’s Valerie Strauss with Seven Facts You Should Know About the Common Core.
A brand new site to help follow the war on public ed: Public School Shakedown
In case you want to share it with friends or other teachers who had to sit through analyzing test results today, here is Dr. Rella’s Opening Day Presentation in all it’s glory…
Via our friends from the MORE Caucus of the UFT…
Some links (and a video) to enjoy on Labor Day…
Ravitch with Labor Day 2013
NYC Educator with Happy Labor Day to All
Vote early. Vote often. And don’t even think of voting for anyone who opposes union. This includes Democrats who pay us lip service but fail to stand up when we need them. For working people, there’s no alternative to union, and now’s the time to make union strong. They have the money, but we have the numbers.
If we stand up, there is no stopping us.
Ralph Nader with Labor Day is a Time to Mobilize
The reality is that big corporations have abandoned American workers by taking jobs and industries to communist and fascist regimes abroad — regimes that oppress their workers and enforce serf-level salaries and hideous working conditions. America’s working men and women have also largely been abandoned by the corporate dominated Republican and Democrat two-party duopoly, whatever their rhetorical differences may be.
To the PJSTA membership…
As we get ready to embark on another school year, Labor Day offers me a moment to pause and express gratitude for the people who have made up my union and allowed me to enjoy the career that I have today…
Through the past several years the PJSTA has taken a leadership role in our region, fighting against the privatization of public education. We have had a substantial presence at rallies and events throughout the state. Our members have taken whatever action necessary when called upon. We have an aggressive and ambitious campaign planned for this year. Our membership will be called upon to take sustained action throughout the year. I know we will rise to the occasion and let our collective voice be heard.
Happy Labor Day… and welcome back to school!
In solidarity,
Brian St. Pierre
The Official Website of the PJSTA 