Today's Date: March 29, 2024
Syngenta Group reports $32.2 billion sales and $4.6 billion EBITDA in 2023   •   Chosgo K23: One of the Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids for Seniors   •   e.l.f. Cosmetics Debuts TikTok Shop Super Brand Day   •   Committee for Children Now Offers a PreK-12 Full-Suite Solution with the Highly Anticipated Launch of Second Step® High Scho   •   Coachella Concerned That People Have Sex, Says AHF   •   Navigating Birth Control: Expert Advice from Dr. Bana Kashani, OB-GYN   •   Fosun Management on 2023 Annual Results: Focusing on Core Industries with Established Advantages   •   Anaergia Announces Delay in the Filing of Its Audited Financial Statements and Related Disclosures   •   World Class Dyslexia, Literacy, and Neuroscience Experts Gather with Educators for Two-Day Professional Learning Event   •   Re:wild and Colossal Biosciences team up to leverage revolutionary technology to save critically endangered species on the brink   •   Midea Group releases its first-ever ESG brand story with an unexpected VIP visit highlighting its commitment to sustainability.   •   Naropa University Launches Pioneering Psychedelic Minor     •   Unique online yoga platform offers lifeline for menopausal women   •   101 Mobility® Eden Prairie: Leading the Way in Mobility and Accessibility Solutions   •   Anaergia Announces Escrow Closing of Second Tranche of the Strategic Investment   •   Navigating Spring Break Sexual Health: Advice from Dr. Deb Laino Sex and Relationship Therapist and Powerful Life Coach   •   National University Receives 2024 Military Friendly® Gold Designation   •   Walmart Connect Announced as Presenting Sponsor of the 2024 WIN Summit   •   Charity Navigator Launches Women's Advocacy List for Women's History Month   •   AMIGOS FOR KIDS LAUNCHES "THE MISSING REVIEW"
Bookmark and Share

Senator Kevin Parker and Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie Join Legislative Colleagues to Introduce "Better Schools Act"

 

 

Senator Kevin Parker and Assemblyman Carl E. Heastie Join Legislative Colleagues to Introduce “Better Schools Act”

 

 

 

 

 

Albany, NY- Senator Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn) and Assemblyman Carl Heastie (D-Bronx)  announced the introduction of legislation in both houses of the legislature to make significant improvements to school governance in New York City. The "Better Schools Act" (S.5576) is co-sponsored by Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry, Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal, Assembly Member Hakeem Jefferies, and Senator Savino, Senator Diaz, Senator Hassel-Thompson, Senator Huntley, Senator Montgomery, Senator Perkins, Senator Sampson and other legislators. The bill addresses the need for more effective oversight of the school system, requires greater transparency, provides more accountability, and enhances involvement for parents and students.

 

 

 


More Effective Oversight

 

 

 

The Better Schools Act reconfigures the Panel for Education Policy (PEP) as a 17-member panel with eight members appointed by the mayor and nine appointed by other elected officials. It requires fixed terms for PEP members with removal only for cause. The Chancellor would be appointed by the mayor and would be an ex-officio, non-voting member.

 

 

 


"The PEP has been a rubber stamp voting with the mayor 97 out of 97 times," said Assemblyman Heastie. "This means there is no real public debate, no incentive to win the support of diverse constituencies and no meaningful checks and balances. Taken together the elements in this bill will greatly improve our schools by ensuring parents, students and taxpayers alike know what is actually going on and have a way to make sure their voices are heard and not ignored.”

Greater Transparency and Accountability

 

 

 

The State is finally investing in New York City schools as required by the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit; but with the economy in crisis future state aid may be reduced so it’s more important than ever for New York City Schools to spend wisely. The Better Schools Act will require greater transparency and accountability by making the New York City Independent Budget Office (IBO) responsible for evaluating and reporting on financial investments and academic achievement in the New York City schools.

 

 

 


"We are in a financial crisis, and taxpayers should know whether we are getting the best value from our investments in education," said Senator Parker. "Right now, we cannot distinguish facts from ‘spin’ because there is no objective data analysis or accounting on where state education investments are going. The Better Schools Act will empower the IBO to audit the school system to give us objective reporting on where we are succeeding and where we still need to do more to improve our schools."

 

 

 


Parental and Student Involvement

 

 

 

The Better Schools Act creates new opportunities for greater parent and student involvement in the schools and in decision-making that affects students’ education. The Act creates a Parent and Student Training Initiative, gives parents greater input on school closings and restructurings, and restores the offices of the District Superintendents so that parents can get problems solved within their local communities.

 

 

 


Quotes from sponsors of the Better Schools Act:

 

 

 

“In 2001, when I became a New York City Council Member, I was one of the first to support and fight for school Mayoral Control.  I believed then in Mayor Bloomberg’s promise that he would be the ‘educational mayor,’” explained Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz, Sr. “After seeing the drop-out rate, the lack of parental participation and the dictatorship in which Chancellor Klein runs the Department of Education, I am changing my view and join the choir of those asking for a change in Mayoral control of the education system.”

 

 

 


"Mayoral control in its current form has failed to produce any meaningful improvement in academic achievement, most significantly with respect to the shameful racial gap in graduation rates. The Better Schools Act will provide real change in accountability and transparency in order to produce real results for our children." said Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries.

 

 

 


"Immigrants are parents too, and as other parents, their voices have been stifled by one-man rule. Through this legislation, however, children and parents will have their educational needs met,” commented Senator Bill Perkins.

 

 

“The legislature has the opportunity and the responsibility to improve on the current model of school governance. This bill addresses the need for greater checks and balances through a more independent Panel on Educational Policy and much needed transparency and is designed to ensure that parents, students and our communities have a strong voice in decisions affecting their schools. Our children deserve the best education possible and it is incumbent upon the legislature to craft a system that is geared to their success in the public school system," said Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal.



Back to top
| Back to home page
Video

White House Live Stream
LIVE VIDEO EVERY SATURDAY
alsharpton Rev. Al Sharpton
9 to 11 am EST
jjackson Rev. Jesse Jackson
10 to noon CST


Video

LIVE BROADCASTS
Sounds Make the News ®
WAOK-Urban
Atlanta - WAOK-Urban
KPFA-Progressive
Berkley / San Francisco - KPFA-Progressive
WVON-Urban
Chicago - WVON-Urban
KJLH - Urban
Los Angeles - KJLH - Urban
WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
New York - WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
WADO-Spanish
New York - WADO-Spanish
WBAI - Progressive
New York - WBAI - Progressive
WOL-Urban
Washington - WOL-Urban

Listen to United Natiosns News