What does it take to lead the world in education?
That question will be explored when Long Island educators host a free, public screening of the documentary, "The Finland Phenomenon," followed by a panel discussion that includes national experts on education reform.
The one-hour film starts at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, at the Half Hollow Hills High School East, 50 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills.
Panelists include Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers; NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi; Tony Wager, author and Innovation Education Fellow at Harvard University (he also narrates the film); Samuel Abrams, author and visiting scholar at Teachers College at Columbia University; Andrew Greene, principal of Candlewood Middle School, Half Hollow Hills schools; and Marguerite Izzo, 2007 New York State Teacher of the Year and a teacher in the Malverne school district.
"The Finland Phenonemon" depicts an education reform movement vastly different from the one taking place in American schools. Panelists will engage in a discussion about the two systems and what can be learned.
The event is hosted by the Half Hollow Hills Teachers' Association, led by Richard Haase, with support from NYSUT and The New York Center for Teacher Development, Inc.
NYSUT audit online
NYSUT continues its practice of providing members with access to the union's certified audit for their review.
The annual audit for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2011, is available and can be found on the NYSUT Member Center at www.nysut.org. Members may request a hard copy by contacting the NYSUT Accounting Department at 518-213-6000, ext. 6252 or by sending an email to finance@nysutmail.org.