A rigorous curriculum in every school
We want to create classrooms that acknowledge the diverse talents, gifts, and learning styles of each and every student. The entire point is to ensure that the materials used better reflect the myriad of identities contained in each school and classroom.
To reopen schools, do three things
The city has to show all parents that the public schools this fall are not just safe, but are also the best place their kids can be.
In schools, safety matters most
The arrival of vaccines against the coronavirus is the news we have been waiting for — the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. But we can’t let that good news lead the city to abandon a careful approach to getting and keeping our schools open.
How to fix remote learning in NYC
So far, the logistical and safety challenges of re-opening schools have been met. But despite enormous efforts by teachers, remote learning — something more than 540,000 kids now rely on all the time, and the rest rely on all or part of the time — is still lagging.
The kind of testing schools really need
The state and the city have the time in the coming months to create a thoughtful, comprehensive plan to safely reopen school buildings and bring teachers and children back together.
UFT position on Medicaid redesign
New York City cannot absorb $1.1 billion in new Medicaid costs as part of the state’s efforts to shift its own financial responsibilities onto local communities.
Excluding the Neediest Students is Key to Top Charter Schools’ Success
New York City’s charter schools have a history of shutting the schoolhouse door to many of our neediest children, such as English language learners, special education students or those from the poorest families. Charters as a group enroll a significantly smaller percentage of such pupils than the public schools.
Expand gifted and talented education
We need to expand and not contract, much less eliminate, specialized programs for high-achieving youngsters.
Stop adding new charter schools: Keep the cap and ensure that badly needed financial resources flow to traditional public schools
New York State legislators need to halt planned charter school expansions that would only solidify charters as a parallel — but unregulated and discriminatory — school system, one that is draining resources from many of New York’s neediest kids.
Testing overkill and its consequences
New York City and New York State fell prey to the movement that made standardized tests in reading and math the only important measure of student and school success.