Category Archive
UFT Testimony of Carmen Alvarez on School Governance Before the NYS Senate Democratic Committee: August 12, 2008Oct 15, 2008
UFT VP Carmen Alvarez testifies before the NYS Senate Democratic Committee on School Governance
Testimony of UFT VP of Middle Schools Before the NYC Education Committee on Overcrowding: Oct. 3, 2008Oct 06, 2008
UFT VP of Middle Schools testifies before NYC Council Eeducation Committee on state of overcrowding in middle schools.
UFT Testifies on Muslim HolidaysSep 26, 2008
UFT Representative Amina ARchman testified before the NYC Council on the subject of Muslim Holidays in the school year.
Testimony of Catalina Fortino, Coordinator, UFT Teacher Center on ESL/ELL Education Before the NYS Assembly Committee on Education: Oct. 12, 2007Aug 21, 2008
Testimony on educating ESL and ELL students
Testimony of Richard Farkas on Harassment, Bias-Harassment and Bullying in NY Public Schools: The Dignity for All Students Act: June 10, 2008Jun 10, 2008
Testimony of Randi Weingarten at NYC DOE Public Hearing on NYS Contract for Excellence New Dorp High School, Staten Island: June 5, 2008
Jun 05, 2008
Testimony of Randi Weingarten before the City Council Finance and Education Committees on the Mayor’s Executive Budget: May 27, 2008
May 27, 2008
Testimony of Leo Casey to the CCC on Education and Cultural Affairs Libraries and International Intergroup Relations on the State of Arts Education in NYC Public Schools April 8, 2008
Apr 08, 2008
Testimony of Randi Weingarten to the City Council Education Committee Fiscal 2009 Preliminary Budget Hearing: March 20, 2008
Mar 20, 2008
Testimony of Randi Weingarten United Federation of Teachers on School Governance Before the Council Mayoral Control and School Governance Working Group: Jan. 11, 2008
Feb 13, 2008
Testimony of Leo Casey before the New York State Assembly Committee on Physical Education Compliance: January 31, 2008
Jan 31, 2008
Testimony of Sterling Roberson Before the Committee on Public Safety January 23, 2008
Jan 23, 2008
Testimony of Ellie Engler Before the Committee on Public Safety Intro January 8, 2008
Jan 08, 2008
Testimony of Aminda Gentile before the NYC Council Education Committee Robert Jackson on the DOE School Progress Reports: December 10, 2007
Dec 10, 2007
Testimony of Michael Mulgrew before the Council Education Committee on Restructuring of the DOE's Alternative HS Programs: Nov. 14, 2007
Nov 14, 2007
Testimony of Michelle Bodden before the NYS ACS on Labor, Children & Families On Access to Quality Child Care for Working Families: Nov 7, 2007
Nov 07, 2007
Testimony of Michael Mulgrew before the NYS Education Department On Development of Career and Technical Education Programs: Nov. 6, 2007
Nov 06, 2007
Testimony of Michael Mulgrew before the Council Civil Service and Labor Committee on Pathways to Trade Professions: Oct.30, 2007
Oct 30, 2007
Testimony of Catalina Fortino before the State Assembly Committee on ELLs: Oct. 12, 2007
Oct 12, 2007
Testimony of Michelle Bodden on Meeting the State’s ‘Contract for Excellence’ Requirements July 24, 2007
Jul 24, 2007
Let’s start with class size. Here in the city, class size reduction has been on the educational front burner for at least five years. There have been petitions, lawsuits, testimonies, task forces and just an astounding amount of battling—right up through last week--over something that should not be that controversial.
Testimony of the UFT to the City Council Youth Services Committee Oversight Hearing on Adult Literacy May 29, 2007May 29, 2007
The exact numbers for adults needing educational services is hard to quantify, but the most conservative estimate shows more than 1 million New Yorkers desperately needing publicly funded adult-education services. Adult literacy consists of the interrelated programs that adult learners—the majority of whom are newcomers—need in order for them to establish themselves in the community. These include basic reading skills, English as a Second language, Basic Literacy, GED preparation and Career and Technical Education programs. Yet as administered by the DOE’s Office of Adult and Continuing Education, these programs share the same failings.
Testimony of Randi Weingarten Before the City Council Committees On the Fiscal 2008 Executive Budget Proposal for the Department of Education May 22, 2007May 22, 2007
I’m here today to talk about what the teachers and other front-line educators in the public school system believe should be our education spending priorities for the next fiscal year. However, given the new funding system at DOE, I expect it will be harder to implement systemwide priorities, as schools, or more specifically principals, are each making individual decisions about their own spending priorities — (which may or may not conflict with what the Council, mayor or others, including the union, think ought to be the priorities).
Testimony of the UFT to the Joint Hearing of the NYC Council Education and Budget Committees May 15, 2007May 15, 2007
Thanks to the resolution of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit, substantially greater funding is coming to the schools. Now the question is whether our school buildings can support the policy initiatives, including the requirement for smaller class sizes, that the new aid is slated to fund. Are there enough classrooms and other educational spaces? Are our buildings safe and secure? Are schools going to meeting students’ career and technical needs as well as academic needs?
Testimony of Richard Farkas before NYC Council Middle School Task Force May 7, 2007May 07, 2007
In 2003, the United Federation of Teachers submitted testimony to the City Council Education Committee on Middle-Level Education. We stated four years ago that New York City’s middle schools were struggling – and today, that situation remains unchanged. In fact, middle schools across our state and indeed across our nation continue struggling to prepare students to meet higher standards, and yet our middle school students continue to lag behind.
Testimony of Michelle Bodden at the City Council Public Hearing on the FY 2008 Preliminary Budget March 19, 2007Mar 19, 2007
Under normal circumstances, testifying on this budget should be a pleasure. A $3.9 billion city surplus (and probably larger by June), some $640 million more in state aid and $530 million more from the city – It sounds like an opportunity to make a meaningful dent in the many unmet educational needs of our million-plus students. But for reasons I’ll get into in a moment, we have great concerns.
Testimony of Randi Weingarten Before the NYC Council Education Committee on the Five-Year Capital Plan March 12, 2007Mar 12, 2007
Good morning, my name is Randi Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), representing more than 100,000 employees who work in more than 1,200 school buildings in New York City. I want to thank the City Council for allowing me to testify on the Five-Year Capital Plan and the administration’s proposed amendment.
Testimony of UFT Special Rep Janella Hinds on empowerment schools March 5, 2007Mar 05, 2007
Good afternoon. My name is Janella Hinds. I am special representative for empowerment schools of the United Federation of Teachers. On behalf of UFT President Randi Weingarten, I want to thank Chairman Robert Jackson and the committee for the opportunity to testify on the successes and failures of Empowerment Schools.
Testimony of Randi Weingarten on FY 2008 Executive Budget Proposal February 27, 2007Feb 27, 2007
It’s a pleasure to come before you this year without a long list of pleas for restorations and increases. Governor Spitzer’s proposal to meet the state’s obligations under CFE is a welcome respite from more than a decade of litigation. In those years, when we had to plead, you always came through. Now, just as you did last year on capital, it’s up to you and your colleagues to close the CFE chapter. Every child in New York City, and their parents and teachers, will owe you a debt of gratitude.
Testimony of Randi Weingarten Before the NYCCEC on the Proposed DOE Restructuring Plan January 25, 2007Jan 25, 2007
Why would we engage in the most radical restructuring of the best urban school system in America without any real evidence that what is being proposed works any better than what is being replaced? The only other school system in America that dismantled its central structure in this way is New Orleans. I am not arguing that what we have now works for all children; I am simply asking what is the evidence that the new structure or funding formula will be better. That is the question I want to start with and leave you with.
Testimony of Chris Proctor Before the Committee on Civil Service and Labor December 12, 2006Dec 12, 2006
Good afternoon. My name is Chris Proctor, a UFT industrial hygienist. I am testifying on behalf of Randi Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), which represents approximately 110,000 employees in New York City’s public schools. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today on the issue of workplace injuries and illnesses and their impact on UFT members.
Testimony of Angela Reformato before Joint Oversight Hearing of the City Council Education and Juvenile Justice Committees Dec 7, 2006Dec 07, 2006
My name is Angela Reformato. I am chair of the Guidance Counselor Chapter of the UFT, representing almost 3,000 school guidance counselor members. I’m pleased to offer the views of the United Federation of Teachers to this joint oversight hearing on how we can provide the kind of schooling that can minimize drop-out rates, head off delinquency and keep juveniles out of the criminal justice system.
Testimony of Sterling Roberson Before the Committee on Civil Service and Labor December 4, 2006Dec 04, 2006
Good morning. I am Sterling Roberson, Director of the Department of School Safety for the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), which represents approximately 110,000 employees in New York City’s public schools. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today on the issue of workplace violence and its impact on UFT members and our students.
Testimony of Carmen Alvarez on Oversight of Special Education Evaluations and Placements by the NYC DOE Sept. 19, 2006Sep 19, 2006
The United Federation of Teachers applauds the City Council for seeking better reporting of statistics relating to the evaluation and delivery of special education services to students. We support the direction the legislation takes because we know that for many students, special education services have “gone missing” or been compromised. We know from our own in-school experience how the current system can perpetuate harm where it should uniformly do good. Knowing the parameters of a problem is the first step in correcting it. If you don’t see and share the information, how can you verify the practices and the trends? How do you fix the problem?
Testimony of Randi Weingarten, President, United Federation of Teachers to the joint hearing of the City Council Education and Budget Committees on School Budget Priorities for Fiscal Year 2007 - June 8, 2006Jun 08, 2006
Hearing on Mayor’s Preliminary Budget
Mar 20, 2006
The city’s financial picture has improved quantitatively, yet the funding for schools does not come close to reflecting that improved picture. The public is entitled to see more and know more about that. And no amount of justifiable criticism of Albany for failing to agree on a CFE payout justifies a city operating budget that so poorly serves students, parents and teachers.
Testimony of Michelle Bodden before the CCE and FCH on Mayor's Preliminary Budget March 20, 2006Mar 20, 2006
My name is Michelle Bodden. I am the United Federation of Teachers vice president for elementary schools. On behalf of UFT President Randi Weingarten, I want to thank Chairman Jackson and Chairman Weprin for this opportunity to offer the union’s views on the mayor’s preliminary budget. I also want to offer our appreciation to Speaker Quinn and the 12 council members who joined us in Albany last week to lobby the legislature for CFE funding.
Testimony Of Maria Colon To the Council Education Committee on Proposed Whistle-blower Legislation March 2, 2006Mar 02, 2006
What has happened to me over the past year has put my career in jeopardy and undermined the integrity of the school I love.
Testimony Of Margo Donovan To the Council Education Committee on Proposed Whistle-blower Legislation March 2, 2006Mar 02, 2006
The assistant principal threatened me with a "U" rating. I was devastated. I never got that “U,” but the chilling effect of her threat came through loud and clear to me and my colleagues.
Testimony Of Alice Alcala To the Council Education Committee on Proposed Whistle-blower Legislation March 2, 2006Mar 02, 2006
The events that bring me before you today will show why teachers need a whistleblower law to protect them. Only with a whistleblower law will teachers be able to voice concerns that directly affect the education of their students without fear of retaliation.
Testimony Of Jackie Bennett To the Council Education Committee on Proposed Whistle-blower Legislation March 2, 2006Mar 02, 2006
In 1998, when I moved from Lincoln High School to a K-12 school on Staten Island, I didn’t know I owned a whistle. At Lincoln, the administration respected the professional opinion of staff and sought our input. But Petrides was something else.
Testimony of Carmen Alvarez, Vice President, United Federation of Teachers, before the Council Education Committee on proposed whistle-blower legislationMar 02, 2006
It is not just a figure of speech and it is not an exaggeration to say that the public school system in New York City today operates in a climate of suspicion and fear. Ask any — any — educator in the system and you will learn that that is merely a statement of fact. A regrettable, odious, but absolutely accurate statement of fact.
Testimony of Randi Weingarten to the Council Education Committee on Proposed Whistle-blower LegislationMar 02, 2006
The UFT has a long and proud history of advocacy on behalf of New York City’s public school students. In this tradition, I come before you today to urge the passage of legislation protecting “whistle-blower” educators in our city’s schools.
Early Childhoon EducationDec 08, 2005
UFT Vice President Michelle Bodden tells the NYS Legislature's Education Committee that smaller classes and earlier pre-k education make a world of difference.
Testimony of Aminda Gentile before the Education Committee NYC Council Dec. 7, 2005Dec 07, 2005
Good morning, Councilmember Moskowitz and members of the Education Committee. Thank you for inviting me today. I am Aminda Gentile, Vice President for educational issues and director of the UFT Teacher Centers, where our mission is helping teachers succeed in the classroom.
Testimony of Carmen Alvarez to the City Council Committee on Education October 7, 2005Oct 07, 2005
Aminda Gentile Hearing on English Language Learners Programs in the NYC Public Schools October 5, 2004
Aug 23, 2005
Union’s perspectives on how best to meet the needs of the tens of thousands of English Language Learners in our schools.
Testimony of Randi Weingarten on the Implementation of CFE September 29, 2004Aug 23, 2005
The opportunity presented by the CFE decision to provide needed resources for our children served by the New York City public education system may not come again in our lifetimes. The choices we make are critical and must be made with great deliberation and care.
Testimony of Frank Volpicella on School Safety Feb. 8, 2005Aug 23, 2005
On behalf of UFT President Randi Weingarten, I want to thank Chairwoman Eva Moskowitz and the City Council’s Education Committee members for the opportunity to testify on school safety matters.
Amina Rachman on Class Size Transparency and Building Use June 15, 2005Aug 23, 2005
Overcrowding, and its effects on class size, building use, and ultimately, on teaching and learning.
Aminda Gentile on Programs for the Gifted and Talented Mar. 2, 2005Mar 03, 2005
All gifted and talented students in all neighborhoods should have the opportunity to attend programs that meet their needs. The UFT supports the city council bill that would require districts to set aside at least 10% of their classroom space for programs for the gifted and talented. The department has left teachers and parents out of the decision-making process about all aspects of programs for gifted and talented students. The department must not continue making unilateral decisions about these programs based on secret meetings, no-bid contracts and educational ideology rather than student need and parent input. There must be open, public meetings to discuss what form these programs will take.
Carmen Alvarez on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 Mar. 2, 2005Mar 02, 2005
Michelle Bodden on Early Childhood Education and Universal Public Pre-kindergarten Jan. 27, 2005
Jan 27, 2005
Vice President for elementary schools, Michelle Bodden testified on Thursday, Jan. 27,2005 before the NYC Council Committee on Education and said that Pre-K is one of the four pillars of education reform, along with highly qualified teachers, smaller class sizes and safe and orderly schools, in the union's recommendations for the use of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity funds.
Frank Carucci to NYC Council Education Committee: Vocational and Technical Education Jan.12, 2005Jan 12, 2005
Vice President for Vocational and Technical High Schools Frank Carucci told the NYC Council Education Committee that vocational education is not a problem, but the solution to a problem. It is not dated or inferior or counterpoised to academics. Evidence is conclusive that the state’s Career and Technical Education certification program is one of the New York schools’ success stories.
Michelle Bodden before the NYC Council Commission on CFE Dec. 8, 2004Dec 08, 2004
blurb
Angela Reformato on High School Admission Procedures Nov. 18, 2004Nov 18, 2004
A year ago, Chancellor Klein announced a radical remaking of the high school admissions procedures, with bold promises of a new fairness, openness and simplicity. Today, we meet amidst signs that something is seriously amiss in the Chancellor’s brave new world of high school admissions. The evidence points to "...a point to a chaotic, poorly managed change process which has sowed more confusion than clarity and bred more disorganization than a smooth, orderly functioning of a vital public service."
Testimony of Michelle Bodden on the Campaign for Fiscal Equity Oct. 19, 2004Oct 19, 2004
"In his decision, Justice DeGrasse said class size reduction was one of the top two priorities for reforming the city school system," said Elementary VP Michelle Bodden before the City Council Commission on the Campaign for Fiscal Equity.
Testimony of Frank Volpicella on the Campaign for Fiscal Equity Oct. 19, 2004Oct 19, 2004
"Class size reduction is the foundation for education reform in the city," said UFT VP Frank Volpicella in his testimony before the Commission of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity.
Testimony of Richard Farkas on the Campaign for Fiscal Equity Oct. 19, 2004Oct 19, 2004
"Reduced class size should not be filed under 'wishful thinking.' It must be realized, because it underlies many other middle school reforms," Said Middle School VP Richard Farkas before the City Council Commission on the Campaign for Fiscal Equity.
Testimony of Randi Weingarten on the Implementation of CFE Sep. 29, 2004Sep 29, 2004
In her testimony before the City Council Commission on the Implementation of CFE, she said that the CFE decision presented an opportunity to provide needed resources for children served by the New York City public education system. "There are five basic issues that are absolutely essential to a sound basic education. The first three that we believe, and research confirms, are critical are: a quality teacher in every classroom, class sizes small enough so that a well-prepared teacher can attend to each child’s individual needs, and enriched early childhood education to ensure that every child has the foundational skills on which learning is built. In addition …there are two more… safety and an expanded platform of learning opportunities for children who are falling behind. "
UFT: Schools no better under Klein's watchSep 23, 2004
As educators returned to work, UFT President Weingarten said that city schools were no better than they were a year ago, when Chancellor Joel Klein launched his education reform.
Weingarten Testimony on Establishment of New, Small Secondary Schools in New York CityJun 18, 2004 Weingarten Testimony on Social Promotion - March 3, 2004
Apr 14, 2004 Testimony For Regents Hearings On Middle Schools
Mar 01, 2004 Weingarten's testimony before NYC Council on Education & Public Saftey Oversight Hearings
Jan 29, 2004 Testimony on Middle Level Schools
Dec 04, 2003
It's no secret that New York City 's middle schools need improvement. Our city houses the traditional junior high schools, those organized into mini-schools, traditional middle schools, small middle schools, K to 8 schools, K to 12 schools, 6 to 12 schools Successes can be found in all of these structures. Let me share with you the essential elements of successful middle schools.
Fall 2003 Testimony by Richard Farkas to the State Education Department on the Implementation of Middle School PolicyNov 14, 2003 Weingarten Defends Teachers Contract Before City Council Education Committee
Nov 13, 2003 UFT Testifies to Implement Campaign for Fiscal Equity Lawsuit
Oct 03, 2003 UFT Testifies about School Safety
Sep 25, 2003 Testimony by Richard Farkas to the State Education Department on Middle School Policy
Jun 30, 2003 UFT Testimony: Standard for Safety and Security in the Public Sector throughout New York State
Jun 30, 2003 Randi Weingarten on Community School District Governance Reform Jan. 16, 2003
Jan 16, 2003
Assemblymember and Co-chair Steven Sanders, Co-Chair Terri Thompson and all the members of the Task Force on Community School District Governance Reform.
