New Things for the New Year!!

Our NYC Schools have gotten a new chancellor, and like most parents I’m sure I cannot say for sure whether this will be a good thing for our students.  I would like to be optimistic and say that in some ways changes can be good. But in my opinion changes to our school system have been like this one, conducted quickly and without much parental input, without considering its impact on overall academic achievement by choosing to bring in someone who might be seen by some as under qualified based on the state law requirements.  It shouldn’t be based solely on   Mayor Bloomberg wanting someone to “manage” the school’s budgets better.  Yet when you look at her credentials you will have to face the fact that she most definitely is someone to do that.  Her extensive career has proven she is and can be a “head banger” when the time calls for it.

 I am just not convinced that it is better to bring in someone whom lacks the educational credentials needed but can manage money to improve student academic outcomes only because  the mayor would like someone to manage our schools like a business before managing them like educational institutions.   Granted Mayor Bloomberg and Mr. Steiner (NYS Education Commissioner) made a deal that will to some degree bring the academic expertise to the table by appointing Shael Polakow-Suransky as Chief Academic Officer who will serve as second in command, and appointed 8 deputy chancellors. By doing this the Mayor and Mr. Steiner say that it makes up for the credentials that Ms. Black is missing. I guess we will see… (After all second in command is second in command, how much say will he actually have)

I saw one of Ms.Black interviews on myfoxfive.com and she has said “get to know me…”  Ms. Black has also stated that she wants to hear from parents. I say to you as Parents/guardians – Any parent with a child in Special Education has the right to contact Ms. Black, to voice their concerns, and to expect answers. All you need to do is Google “Contact the NYC school Chancellor”, you will be forwarded to the NYCDOE page, “Message to the Chancellor” and you can voice your concerns.Ms. Black also comments in her interview that she feels that parents should have choices.  When I heard that last statement I thought to myself “I thought parents always have had choices, but the DOE just doesn’t provide much room or avenues for parents to use or exercise those choices!” It is so hard for our voices to be heard when it pertains to our children receiving the proper Special Education Services, services not only needed, but mandated.  I feel that this change will make it harder being that we are dealing with a Chancellor that doesn’t know the complexity of our educational system, let alone know about SPECIAL EDUCATION.  Again I say we will see I will try to be optimistic...

What are your thoughts about the Our Chancellor?