March 12, 2015
Source:
NYSUT Media Relations
ALBANY, N.Y. March 12, 2015 — New York State United Teachers today released the following statement on the Senate Majority’s education proposals:
“In separating out most of the governor’s education proposals from the budget negotiations, the Senate is clearly signaling that it, too, agrees public schools shouldn’t be held hostage to the governor’s ‘my-way-or-else’ approach,” said NYSUT President Karen E. Magee. “What’s unacceptable, however, is that the Senate Majority has simply repackaged into its own proposals some of the worst elements of Gov. Cuomo’s test-and-punish agenda, including erosion of local control and more than doubling the weight of standardized tests. This is in sharp contrast to the Assembly’s strong support for public schools in its one-house proposal.”
Magee added: “NYSUT reminds senators who have stood shoulder to shoulder with parents and teachers against a test-and-punish agenda that we expect them to follow through on that commitment and do what’s right for public schools.”
NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta said: “Some 3,000 parents and educators turned out in Patchogue on Long Island on Tuesday in a revolt against standardized testing. Why would the Senate even consider more than doubling the weight of state tests? At a time when charters are rolling in cash and need to be held accountable, why would the Senate consider lifting the cap and increasing charter funding? The Senate’s education policy package appears to come from the same bag of failed ideas as the governor’s.”
Pallotta added: “The bright spot is that parents and educators are united and galvanized like never before in the face of these unwarranted attacks on teachers and public education.”
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
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