Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... NYC mayor says no to plan to seize failing schools Battle with Gov. Cuomo upstate ratchets up as charter and reform advocates push for takeovers. Comment By Eric Schulzke, Deseret News MailTribune.com By Eric Schulzke, Deseret News Posted Mar. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 19, 2015 at 8:18 AM By Eric Schulzke, Deseret News Posted Mar. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 19, 2015 at 8:18 AM » Social News The Democrat's internecine battle over education reform is ratcheting up in New York, as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo continue to spar over how to reform the city's failing schools. Cuomo is an outspoken advocate of teacher accountability and charter schools, as well as a harsh critic of teacher unions. De Blasio stands on the opposite side of the most hot-button education reform efforts. De Blasio is not amused by Cuomo's plan to takeover nearly 100 failing NYC public schools, citing his own radical efforts to reform the schools and asserting that as mayor, he is accountable for results, Chalkbeat New York reported . "The mayor’s remarks follow Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s education-focused state budget proposal last month," Chalkbeat writes, "which included a plan to appoint nonprofit groups, school-turnaround experts, or other school districts to oversee schools that have fallen on the state’s lowest performing list for three years. Under the proposed law, those 'receivers' could restructure the low-ranked schools, overhaul their curriculums, and override labor agreements in order to fire 'underperforming' teachers and administrators." The mayor vs. governor cage fight takes place against a backdrop of public agitation on school reform, with well-funded grassroots groups backing charters and opposing teacher unions. In February, the parent activist group Families for Excellent Schools, which has operations in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, called on Cuomo and the Legislature to takeover 178 failing schools this fall, 91 of which were in New York City. Earlier this month, thousands of pro-charter protestors gathered at the state capitol in Albany, with kids and parents bused in from all over the state. Organizers claimed that 13,000 were in the crowd, and singer Ashanti performed. "In New York state, charter supporters have eclipsed the unions when it comes to money spent on lobbying efforts. They've also given generously to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat who has vowed to bust up the 'monopoly' of public education," David Klepper noted for the Associated Press . These days its hard to tell who is David and who is Goliath. The Lockport Union-Sun & Journal reports that "Families for Excellent Schools, a group that supports charters, reported more than $9 million in lobbying expenses in 2014. New York State United Teachers reported less than $4 million." Not surprisingly, FES is firmly backing the governor's effort to take over the schools. "With hundreds of failing schools statewide, and cities like New York City simply unwilling to take action, parents are calling on state leaders to put these schools into receivership immediately," FES said in a press release . "A receivership model would free chronically failing schools from bureaucratic obstacles and place them under the stewardship of proven operators. If the schools are unable to improve, they will close." By Eric Schulzke, Deseret News MailTribune.com By Eric Schulzke, Deseret News Posted Mar. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 19, 2015 at 8:18 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501