UFT President Randi Weingarten on Governor Spitzer’s Proposal January 29, 2007

Jan 29, 2007 12:13 PM

“Governor Spitzer’s proposals are a giant step toward keeping his promise to the children of New York to improve the education of all public school students across the state.

 

“While some details are unknown – and it would not be a surprise that parents and teachers want lowering class sizes in New York City treated equally with universal pre-k -- the differences between the governor’s approach to pay differentials, tenure, accountability and school funding and that of Chancellor Klein are revealing and refreshing.

 

“The governor’s approach builds a strong school community while the chancellor’s foster divisiveness. The governor recognizes the value of respecting tenure, but the chancellor would like to blame it for all the ills of the school system. Likewise, the governor understands the value of the lead teacher program and incentives to work at hard-to-staff schools. Some of the chancellor’s proposals would do nothing more than pit teachers against one another and, inevitably, lead to cronyism.

 

“The governor’s funding proposal will lift all schools rather than robbing Peter to pay Paul and his accountability plan will make everyone responsible – top to bottom, not just principals and teachers.   

 

“We look forward to working with the governor’s team – including the new deputy commissioner, Manuel Rivera, who is an educator’s educator -- and the State Legislature on ways to transform the elements of this proposal into a sound, basic education for every child in New York City.”