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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Emma Brown | The Washington Post

“The Senate education committee voted 16 to 6 in favor of confirming John King Jr. as U.S. Education Secretary on Wednesday, cementing education as a rare area of bipartisan compromise in an otherwise deeply divided Congress.

King’s nomination now goes to the full Senate for final approval.

King, 41, has been serving as acting secretary since his predecessor Arne Duncan stepped down at the end of 2015. A former teacher, principal and charter-school founder, he led New York’s state education department from 2011 until 2014, when he joined the U.S. Education Department.”

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New York Daily News

“What if I told you there is a city in America where an all-out war is being waged on public schools that effectively educate low-income black and Latino children? That there is an effort to deprive these children of the funding they require and deserve? And that the assault is legal, legislative — and spearheaded by a series of white-led organizations?”

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New York Post

“New York City’s bad public schools are growing worse — and the proof comes from the exam to win entry into the top high schools.

This year, just 3.6 percent of black students scored high enough to attend a school like Bronx Science, Stuyvesant or Brooklyn Tech — down from 4 percent the year before. Just 5.3 percent of Hispanic students made it, down from 5.6 percent.

And the 2015 black-Hispanic numbers were themselves down from the 2014 level.

In contrast, 54 percent of Asians did well enough on the 2016 test, and 29.3 percent of white students, to win admission.”

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The New Yorker

“One of the most intriguing moments in Sunday night’s Democratic debate came when CNN’s Anderson Cooper asked Hillary Clinton, ‘Do you think unions protect bad teachers?’ In the Democratic Party, few subjects are as incendiary as education. On one side of the issue are the reformers, such as Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, who support charter schools, regular testing, and changing labor contracts to make it easier to fire underperforming teachers. On the other side are the defenders of public schools, such as Bill de Blasio, the mayor of New York City, who are seeking to impose limits on the charter movement, modify testing requirements, and stand up for teachers.”

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