Category Archive
Don’t shortchange special edNov 12, 2009
The Department of Education’s spending priorities don’t always reflect sound educational investment. But when confronted by the legal mandate and moral duty of giving our most vulnerable kids their due support, it’s clear that the DOE is both disturbed by the price and dismissive of the value.
Parents: Our alliesNov 12, 2009
“Strengthening the home-school partnership” was the theme of this year’s 12th annual UFT Parent Conference sponsored by the union’s Dial-A-Teacher program in Manhattan on Oct. 31. It’s about helping kids do better academically, and also about parents and educators working together to protect schools in this tough economy.
Wise decisions on flu vaccineOct 29, 2009
The suspension of the mandate requiring influenza vaccinations of New York health care workers is a huge victory for the union.
D.C. chancellor a bad exampleOct 29, 2009
The Washington, D.C., public school system is in crisis. Chancellor Michelle Rhee has fired hundreds of highly experienced teachers, most of them with satisfactory performance ratings, just two months after she had hired 900 new teachers.
The importance of COPEOct 15, 2009
Educators must be especially vigilant in the political arena.
Saluting chapter leadersOct 15, 2009
The most gratifying and acclaimed of “thankless” jobs is that of being all things to all people. That is the calling of chapter leadership.
Labor prideOct 01, 2009
This year’s Labor Day Parade, with its many thousands of enthused participants, served notice that this holiday has once again come into its own as the holiest of America’s unifying secular holidays.
Health care reform nowOct 01, 2009
Education is a fundamental human right. So is universal health care. There is no moral justification in denying it to anyone, especially in the most prosperous nation on earth.
Swine flu: learning from the pastSep 17, 2009
Unlike last spring, when the swine flu epidemic in our city schools seemed to take both the Department of Education and the Department of Health by surprise, this fall we are heartened to see preparation, planning and a clear protocol for how to proceed in the event of a swine flu resurgence.
Obama speech right onSep 17, 2009
Some folks spent a lot of energy complaining that President Obama’s back-to-school speech was designed as a sinister ploy to spread partisan propaganda by infiltrating the schools and indoctrinating kids. Give us a break!
Tom Pappas: A giant retiresJun 29, 2009
Tom Pappas, adviser to the last three presidents of the UFT and presently chapter leader of the Retired Teachers’ Chapter, is retiring after more than 50 years of dedicated service to the union.
Saluting secretariesJun 29, 2009
“Grace under pressure.” Hemingway used that phrase to define courage, but it also describes our school secretaries as they perform their many-faceted jobs.
A lesson in cooperationJun 04, 2009
Nobody is to blame for this flu outbreak. But what constructive lessons has it taught us for the future?
Healthier mayoral controlJun 04, 2009
Discussions about reauthorizing the 2002 law that gave the mayor control over the city’s schools have generated more heat than light. So much heat, in fact, that the smoke often obscures the truth.
Vote! And that’s an order!May 21, 2009
Sounds bossy. Like a military command. The New York Teacher doesn’t usually talk to its readers that way. Our style is gentler.
Give the DOE its dueMay 21, 2009
The Department of Education has adopted a teacher hiring freeze and directed principals to fill vacancies from current DOE staff through the Open Market or the Absent Teacher Reserve pool of veteran educators. The UFT welcomes this sensible though overdue policy change.
Paras are invaluableMay 07, 2009
“A union of professionals.” It’s more than the slogan — it is also a philosophy that, like an umbrella, covers all the union’s dedicated educator members. Therefore, the United Federation of Teachers is also “a union of paraprofessionals.”
EFCA’s fate is our fateMay 07, 2009
With the election of Barack Obama and a Democratic majority in Congress, we have a rare opportunity to level the labor playing field.
A Harlem RenaissanceApr 23, 2009
We’ve all heard of the rebirth of Harlem, but what we are witnessing today is a Renaissance like the one that swept Europe and England in the 16th century, marked by a renewed zest for learning, an appetite for exploring new frontiers of science, literature and the arts, and a hunger for higher levels of understanding and achievement.
Lobby Day a successApr 02, 2009
On March 17, a convoy of educator and parents, from every corner of New York City converged on Albany to meet with almost every elected state legislator from their districts. It was Lobby Day, a red-letter day on the calendar for advocacy of quality education. Read more...
Increase space, shrink classesApr 02, 2009
The DOE’s 2010-2014 Capital Plan fails to provide adequate relief to students struggling in crowded schools with oversized classes. We urge the City Council to fix that failure. Read more...
Snow brainerMar 19, 2009
The effect of waiting so long to announce that schools would be closed during the March 2 snowstorm left many people scurrying — parents looking for child care at the last minute and staff members who were already on the way to their schools when the announcement to close was made.
The haste to close down schoolsMar 19, 2009
The city is closing about 15 schools this year, some of which are in good standing under state and federal standards. Were some of the closings premature? And, could more have been done to help those schools turn themselves around?
Save the Teacher CentersMar 05, 2009
Gov. David Paterson has proposed to eliminate all Teacher Center funding. That this comes at a time when educators and students are under greater pressure than ever suggests that it is time for Albany to take a close look at its priorities.
Preserve, protect CTEMar 05, 2009
If the Department of Education truly values performance-based decision-making, then it will preserve and protect programs that deliver the best long-term “bang for the buck.” Case in point: Career and Technical Education.
Can’t put a price on experienceFeb 19, 2009
Pilot “Sully” Sullenberger’s finest hour might never have come had he been a teacher Tweed targeted and driven him out because of his age, seniority and cost.
One down, two to goFeb 19, 2009
Passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was the first part of the UFT’s tripartite plan to avert catastrophic school budget cuts.
Why we COPEFeb 05, 2009
In life, especially our professional lives as New York City public school educators, we must fight for our blessings. And the way that is done is through political action.
Join the fightFeb 05, 2009
Our schools, our students and our members’ livelihoods are at grave risk because of the economic breakdown and the city’s decision to use our members as pawns in its budget battle with Albany. We need every member to get involved.
Klein loses, Part 2Jan 22, 2009
Teaching fellows who had not secured full-time school assignments by Dec. 5 would have been fired on that date if the Department of Education had had its way. But the UFT took up those new teachers’ cause by twice going to court and then to arbitration on their behalf.
Klein loses, Part 1Jan 22, 2009
Parents and educators have won an important victory in the battle over parent and teacher voice in the school system. The victory was a year in coming but worth the wait.
Pay the providers!Dec 11, 2008
What phrase can do justice in describing the behavior of New York City government which is deliberately defying federal law by refusing to pay state-approved wage increases to home-based child care providers?
Invest in our schoolsDec 11, 2008
At this moment when we are facing the prospect of a long and severe recession, if we don’t invest in our schools, the damage will be greater than can be reckoned in bailout dollars.
Spare the childrenNov 20, 2008
The presidential election, a watershed in our history, has endowed Americans and much of the rest of the world with the brightest optimism since the Kennedy era. But the economic picture is more reminiscent of the Great Depression. It is dire and the prospects of quick recovery are bleak.
The union makes us strongNov 20, 2008
Although our workplaces aren’t perfect, we have achieved rights that provide us with dignity and protection in the pursuit of our professional lives.
A worthwhile causeNov 06, 2008
This year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk was one of those life-affirming events in which thousands of unrelated folks, including our sisters and brothers from other NYSUT locals, celebrate awareness of our shared humanity and vulnerability.
Punishment of librarian should be rescindedNov 06, 2008
It was a jaw-dropping decision authored by the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board and fit for a Theater of the Absurd playbill. Unfortunately it was played out in the Brooklyn Tech library and was not an act.
A matter of free speechOct 23, 2008
The federal lawsuit that the UFT filed seeking a temporary restraining order against the DOE’s policy banning educators from wearing campaign pins in schools was our effort to protect the fundamental right of educators to free speech and political expression.
Standing united for fairnessOct 23, 2008
As we enter the most severe economic crisis since the Great Depression, we can no longer fight to protect schools alone. We need to rally to defend the city’s very core safety net.
Help get out the voteOct 09, 2008
The canyon-deep differences between Sen. Barack Obama and his opponent in the presidential race, Sen. John McCain, could not be more stark. That is why the UFT is engaged, together with the AFT and the AFL-CIO, in a grand-scale grassroots campaign to elect him.
Let teachers teachOct 09, 2008
The Department of Education is adding insult to injury by scoffing at a good-faith and common-sense solution that would not only restore ATRs to permanent positions that they lost through no fault of their own but would also save the city many millions of dollars during these economically worsening times.
Good and bad of Progress ReportsSep 25, 2008
The results of this year’s school Progress Reports are a cause for celebration but also for critical reflection.
A solution to overcrowdingSep 25, 2008
Overcrowded schools and classes are serious ills, but they would respond well to treatment. A Better Capital Plan could be a huge part of the remedy.
‘First, do no harm’Sep 12, 2008
We can argue with the Department of Education over a host of educational issues, but when it comes to health and safety in the workplace there can be no difference of opinion.
Promises still to be keptSep 12, 2008
It seemed a safe bet in July that the state would feel compelled by its surging budget deficit to slash its aid to public education. But the governor and state lawmakers set the right priorities, sparing our K-12 schools from disruptive midyear cuts, by making other tough decisions.
A positive giveawayJun 05, 2008
A few weeks ago the UFT gave away another million dollars. Just gave it away. That makes 39 million over the years. And it was one of the best things the union could have done.
The backbone of the unionJun 05, 2008
It’s easy to forget, sometimes, when there is an eventful year like this one, how much the union is indebted to its chapter leaders.
Tell City Hall you careMay 22, 2008
Schools across the city are developing activities to dramatize the fact that even though the city has a budget surplus schools are receiving $450 million less than the city had promised.
‘Off with their heads’May 22, 2008
One of the more inexplicable results of the DOE’s budget cuts would be the decimation of the Peer Intervention Program.
Another betrayalMay 08, 2008
It’s hard to understand the DOE’s most recent example of breaking faith with the public. Despite receiving almost $153 million in state funding specifically targeted for reducing class size, the DOE has actually allowed class sizes to go up in one-third of the schools that received targeted funds to reduce class size.
Mayor lets down schoolchildrenMay 08, 2008
We have been fighting Mayor Bloomberg all of 2008 for what he could have done for the city’s schoolchildren — but has not. That is to fulfill the promise made last year as part of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit settlement to increase funding for the schools.
Whose school is it, anyway?Apr 24, 2008
Had we not run into plenty of examples of Chancellor Klein’s arrogance, we would not believe what is happening at Julia Richman.
The rest of the promiseApr 24, 2008
The governor and the state Legislature came through big time early this month when they restored the promised funding for education — even in the midst of economic uncertainty — that had been agreed to in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit.
Promises kept, key compromise reachedApr 10, 2008
In the state budget agreement reached on April 8, the governor and the state Legislature kept their prior commitment to increased operating aid for New York City public schools.
From toxic to tonicApr 10, 2008
Not to be Pollyannaish about it, but there are school turnarounds that give us hope — like the one at PS 276 in Brooklyn.
An impressive and important victoryApr 10, 2008
Perhaps for as long as there have been school secretaries, some in the school system have been looking for ways to have other, lower-salaried employees do their work.
Newspaper or porn?Mar 27, 2008
On Friday, March 14, a lurid photograph landed in the public schools across the city.
Indispensable membersMar 27, 2008
One of the union’s staunchest components celebrated itself on March 15 at the annual Parafest.
Singin’ in the rainMar 27, 2008
The mood was definitely upbeat and positive despite the urgency of the message at the huge “Keep the Promises” rally at City Hall on March 19.
Where’s the beef?Mar 13, 2008
The union is reprising its survey on assessment-related paperwork and test prep to collect ammunition for our fight against excessive testing.
55/25: A victory of negotiations and political actionMar 13, 2008
55/25 is now a reality and thousands of teachers are delighted.
‘Cooperate when we can, fight when we must’Mar 13, 2008
The union’s cooperate-if-possible-or-fight-if-it-must approach is a solid, long-term policy.
Speak up in MarchFeb 28, 2008
Two events are coming up that give educators an opportunity to step out, speak up and be counted: Lobby Day on March 11 and the giant City Hall rally to protest budget cuts on March 19.
Making things crystal clearFeb 28, 2008
Not that there was ever any real doubt, but a newly released survey showing that parents overwhelmingly want the classes their kids attend to be smaller should be the final word.
New York and New Jersey deliver for HillaryFeb 19, 2008
It was one of the most exciting and involving Primary Days ever in New York and, at least as far as the Democrats and the UFT’s favorite daughter are concerned, a very successful one.
Still neglecting those who need the most supportFeb 14, 2008
When you’re obsessed with test scores because you’ve backed yourself into a corner and set up that quite imperfect measure as the only way to judge your competence in running the school system, it is understandable that you might wish that students with learning disabilities would just, well, disappear.
Bolstering CTEJan 31, 2008
Good choices in bad times
Jan 31, 2008
Spending unwisely
Jan 17, 2008
Without any system of oversight, autonomy means unscrupulous principals can misuse resources with impunity.
Do not pass GoJan 17, 2008
Some teachers get up well before dawn so they can get to school an hour or two before it opens. This is not just extraordinary dedication to their jobs; usually they can’t even get into the building that early. They do it because it’s the only way they can be sure to find one of the few parking spaces near the school. And that’s even with a Department of Education parking permit.
Providing the means for instructional endsDec 06, 2007
Yes, it would be wonderful if schools were so well-funded that there was money available for every instructional project in every classroom — but let’s face it, nirvana is not quite here yet.
Heavy symbolismDec 06, 2007
Our high school English teachers, we recall, explained that the most effective and meaningful symbolism requires no further explanation. So ...
Smaller classes nowDec 06, 2007
The goal of achieving appropriately smaller class sizes in New York City public schools is measurably closer today than it has ever been, though reaching that goal still seems like it’s a long way off. It shouldn’t be.
Healthy minds in healthy bodiesNov 01, 2007
While educators focus primarily on the minds of their students they know that minds don’t function well if they’re not in healthy bodies.
Showing the wayNov 01, 2007
Under the re-re-re-organization of the school system, principals must find a way to generate strong and willing support by their staff or their schools will flounder.
Forging a strong partnershipOct 18, 2007
The latest installment of what by now has become a singularly important event for New York parents and educators, the UFT Parent Conference, was a great success earlier this month.
An important precedentOct 18, 2007
How can we attract and retain great educators when just living here is so expensive? Raising pay is one way; affordable housing is another, and the union, the city and the TRS recently took a dramatic step to achieve that.
Congratulations!Oct 04, 2007
We congratulate you — the New York City public school educators — on recently winning the Broad Prize for Urban Education.
Logistics 101Oct 04, 2007
A solution to the problem of oversized classes in New York City is pretty obvious. But so far, the Department of Education hasn’t seen it.
A win for parentsSep 06, 2007
With the union’s strenuous urging, the governor signed legislation that eased the burden on these parents when they go to a legal hearing where they seek to classify their children as eligible to receive special ed services.
New hope for middle schoolsSep 06, 2007
For many years the thorn in the side of improving school systems, not only in the city but across the country, has been middle schools.
