Mark Keierleber | The 74

“In an effort to strengthen state-level efforts across the country, the education reform organizations StudentsFirst and 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now (better known as 50CAN) are merging, 50CAN will announce today.

The new group will be known as 50CAN, but StudentsFirst state chapters will retain their names (except in Pennsylvania, where their work overlapped).

While both organizations have focused on state-level change — working to expand charter schools, for instance, and overhaul teacher tenure laws — the merger reflects the increased importance of state policy-making in the era ushered in by the Every Student Succeeds Act.”

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Rossileny Linarez, Shalamar & Kashay Wood | The Bronx Chronicle

“Like a lot of parents in the Bronx, we worry about the quality of the schools in our neighborhoods and we wish we had better choices in where to send our kids to school. We believe in the value of education and we understand how important it is for our kids to get a solid foundation starting an early age. That’s why it’s so frustrating to watch our children struggle in chronically failing schools. Ours kids work so hard, but the system is letting them down. That’s why the system needs to change. We need more choice, including more charter schools, in the Bronx.”

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Anita Abedian | The Village Voice

“For years, parents, teachers, and city officials have been arguing about how to end overcrowded classrooms, the absence of certified librarians, and the lack of basic resources in New York City’s public schools. As far back as 2008, then–City Councilmember Gale Brewer was talking about these problems. Brewer has since been elected Manhattan borough president. Yet not much has changed.

Now a group of students want to stop the demolition-by-neglect. Hoping to light a fire under the adults who have so far failed them, the high schoolers are staging a protest — on an actual stage, starting this Wednesday, March 23, at the Teachers College at Columbia University.”

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Cami Anderson | The Wall Street Journal

“An appeal is under way of the landmark 2014 Vergara v. California ruling in favor of nine public-school students who courageously challenged state laws they said deprived them of a quality education. The ruling by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge struck down California’s teacher tenure, dismissal and ‘last in, first out’ layoff laws on grounds that they violate the equal protection clause of the state constitution and ‘disproportionately affect poor and/or minority students.’

Opening arguments in the appeal, which began Feb. 25, had me reflecting on the disheartening lessons I learned regarding teacher’s contracts and labor laws during the five years I served as superintendent of New York City’s Alternative High Schools and Programs (District 79).”

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Bethany Bump | Albany Times Union

“A pro-charter school group says the state Education Department’s recent removal of 70 schools from New York’s struggling schools program violates state law.

StudentsFirstNY is warning the department that if it doesn’t put the schools back into the program it will ‘explore all available remedies to ensure compliance with the law,’ according to a letter sent Thursday to Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia.

The program was adopted last year in response to the state’s new receivership law, which gave unprecedented authority to superintendents at chronically low-performing schools to turn problems around by firing staff, overhauling curriculum, and extending the school day or year, among other things. If they couldn’t demonstrate progress over a one- or two-year timeframe, the state could appoint an outside receiver to take over the schools.”

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The Buffalo News Opinion

“Change appears to be on the way in New York State education and there is reason to worry that it is the kind of change that will harm, rather then help, students who will eventually compete for jobs against those who are the product of environments that value excellence.

It may not turn out that way. After all, Betty A. Rosa, who is expected to be named chancellor of the state Board of Regents, is a former Bronx superintendent who joined the unanimous vote to hire reformer MaryEllen Elia as education commissioner. Yet, it is clear the Board of Regents is changing, and in a way that pleases such constituents as Philip Rumore, the stuck-in-the-past president of the Buffalo Teachers Federation.”

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Charles Sahm | The 74

“In a 49-40 vote Monday afternoon (that saw most Democrats back away from their threatened opposition), the Senate confirmed former New York State Education Commissioner John King as 10th secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

It’s sure to be a bumpy road ahead. Given the upcoming challenges he’ll face implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act, and the political turf wars that are currently paralyzing congress, King, who has served as acting secretary since January, is sure to face more than his fair share of political standoffs in the months ahead. Here are five reasons he’s the right man for the challenge:

King is unquestionably qualified. As a former teacher, school leader, and state commissioner of education, he would arguably be the most qualified secretary of education since the department became a cabinet-level agency in 1980.”

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Education Post

“We, a group of New York-based educators, share enthusiastic support for the appointment of John B. King Jr. as secretary of education, a committed and successful public servant and champion of children. Dr. King exemplifies the qualities our country needs in an education leader at a time when our public school systems are at a crossroads.

An accomplished educator himself and the son of two New York City teachers, Dr. King not only brings extensive experience leading and transforming urban school systems, but also a genuine understanding of the impact teachers can have on the lives of their students.”

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Eric T. Schneiderman | Education Week

“The New York State Constitution requires a good education for all children.

Unfortunately, the promise of equal access to education is being broken for many immigrant children living in New York as some of our school bureaucracies fail to provide them with the same education as children born in the United States.”

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Shavar Jeffries | The 74

“After months of all but ignoring the urgent issue of education during this year’s presidential campaign, CNN’s Anderson Cooper finally came right out at Sunday night’s Democratic Debate to ask Secretary Clinton:
‘Do unions protect bad teachers?’
To which Clinton responded, ‘We need to eliminate that criticism.’

The Democrats for Education Reform agree that ensuring we have quality teachers in the classroom is essential. And what’s one of the best ways to do that? By addressing the root causes that are leaving too many of our students without the great teachers they deserve.”

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