For the past couple of decades there has been a movement toward an approach to education that relies heavily on standardized tests, charter schools, and various other elements that have one thing in common: They deny the value of teachers.

An article in today's NY Times shoves a big wooden stake into this concept. It profiles Diane Ravitch, a major architect of the Bush administration's "No Child Left Behind" policy, and the person whose posture on education underpins the Bloomberg/Klein approach to education. Dr. Ravitch has switched positions, coming around to the realization that all she has stood for is wrong.

Welcome to the real world, Dr. Ravitch. Michael Bloomberg and Joel Klein had better take notice.

As the Times article says, Ravitch has learned, among other things, that:

• "[T]he No Child law was not raising student achievement."
• "Charter schools ... were proving to be no better on average than regular schools, but in many cities were bleeding resources from the public system."
• “'Accountability, as written into federal law, was not raising standards but dumbing down the schools,' she writes."

Combine this article with another NY Times article that talks about how public schools are squeezed for space by being forced to share some of that space with charter schools.

It is now clear, and should be clear even to ardent Bloomberg supporters, that the Bloomberg/Klein team is hellbent on destroying the public school system in New York City. It is time for Klein to leave, it is time for Bloomberg to switch positions -- in short, it is time to rescue New York City's schools from the ravages of the past eight years.

Lately there has been some controversy swirling around the decisions of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chancellor Joel Klein, relative to proposed school closings all over the city. If memory serves me right some players in this brouhaha have even gone to court to stop some (or all) of the proposed closings. I am told that the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) has opposed some (if not all) of these closings -at least in principle. But then the teachers union is usually an adversary of the chancellor’s office in an almost perfunctory manner, so this isn’t surprising. Now, let me preface this column by stating this: there are surely schools which should be closed -given years upon years of delivering poor quality education to its students; so I am not one trying to look over the shoulders of Department of Education (DOE) officials on the ground. Let’s be clear about that from Jump Street.  read more »

John Heyer and Brad Lander are fighting it out for the support of the conservative Hasidic vote in the 39th City Council district. Brad Lander has been hoping his ties to the ultra-orthodox, homophobic Dov Hikind will bridge the gap between Lander's anti-Israel views and his largely liberal views on gays and the Hasids. This devil's bargain between Hikind and Lander was at first working, bringing in Boro Park votes for Lander. But then Heyer came along. Heyer is being very honest with the Hasids, more honest about his conservative beliefs than he is on his website or when he campaigns in Park Slope. Some videos of Heyer discussing their social conservativism have popped up on Room 8 and on the Chaptzem blog. I think it is enlightening to hear Heyer in his own words, and comparing this with his website where he mentions little of his conservative views. So here he is, John Heyer uncut:

I find that Brad Lander's ties to Dov Hikind and his anti-Israel views don't play well in Park Slope. But I suspect neither will John Heyer's support for tax payer money going to private schools and his opposition to abortion. Three candidates fit the values of the majority of the district: Bob Zuckerman, Josh Skaller, and Gary Reilly. Lander and Heyer can compete over the conservatives. Hopefully the majority of the district will go for the other three.

This comes from the office of City Councilwoman Tish James:

Join the COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, WPIX / CHANNEL 11, & COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES for PROJECT: BACK TO SCHOOL, and help New York’s 16,000 homeless kids get the school supplies they need to succeed. As you shop for backpacks, lunch boxes and other school necessities this fall, pick up a little extra to help get our most vulnerable neighbors started on the right foot this school year. The District Office of Council Member James is a drop-off location for backpacks and school supplies; it is located at 67 Hanson Place in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

ABOUT PROJECT: BACK TO SCHOOL

The COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS has teamed up with WPIX / CHANNEL 11, Council Member Letitia James and other supporters for PROJECT: BACK TO SCHOOL, an urgent initiative to help New York’s homeless kids obtain crucial school supplies. This fall, New Yorkers will donate new backpacks and lunch boxes, along with other school supplies to help get our most vulnerable neighbors prepared for the school year. With your help, we can ensure that New York’s neediest boys and girls have the tools necessary to succeed in school, and in life.  read more »

I have been writing about the 39th City Council race, initially because my friend, Josh Skaller, a gentleman I have utmost respect for, was running. But by now I find I have an additional reason to write about it. One (and ONLY one) of Josh's opponents, Brad Lander, has proven himself so obnoxious (to quote other candidates in the race) that I consider him temperamentally unfit to be in the City Council. Although I suppose he would be neither the first nor last obnoxious City Councilman, but personally I would prefer almost ANY of the other candidates over Brad.

Brad's most recent obnoxious political attacks have involved the child of one of his opponents, Josh Skaller's son, Wolf. To me, this is low even for Brad, and I have written before about Brad's well-known pettiness, anger management problems and obnoxious behavior. Some people have accused me of focusing on minor points regarding Brad's personality rather than on issues (like Brad's anti-Israel positions, his alliances with homophobic and intolerant politicians like Dov Hikind, the fact that developers consider him their favorite candidate, etc.) But in some ways when a politician's personality becomes so obnoxious, it becomes an issue in itself.

Brad's attacks involving an opponent's son further convinces me that Brad's temper and personality ARE an issue in themselves in this race. Brad's attacks have brought a response from Wolf's mother, Kelly Skaller, in an email to Josh's supporters. Here is a mother's response in defense of her child against Brad Lander's attacks:

My husband, Josh Skaller, is running for City Council. We have an eight- year-old son, Wolf. By the time you read this, I may have given birth to our daughter, who is due any day now.

As you may know, Josh and I struggled to find the school that was most appropriate for our son and his special needs.

Unfortunately, one of my husband's opponents, Brad Lander, has decided to make our schooling choice an issue in this campaign. These attacks leave me no choice but to respond.  read more »