Showing posts with label remote learning. UFT strike 2020. Show all posts
Showing posts with label remote learning. UFT strike 2020. Show all posts

Saturday, August 29, 2020

With UFT Strike Looming, Links for The Case for and Against Opening Schools in NYC

Norm here -- Saturday, August 29, 2020, 8:30 AM, Updated 11 AM

My instinct (from a distance with no dog in the race) is to keep doing remote. But I approach this issue as not only an advocate but as a
journalist/observer.  I have been gathering just a few links for a variety of views. Consider the possibilities of layoffs - more or less depending on remote?

The UFT and the strike is a separate issue which I have to address seriously -- yes Virginia, I do have doubts about the strike and the UFT leadership ability to pull one off successfully - and the kind of trickery I suspect may be going on. (See James at the ICE blog for detailed and up to date analysis of the UFT situation). Also see the comment arguing against a strike. My Nov. 2018 post on the Taylor Law is here: 


I've already been receiving questions and critics upon the earlier posting and an adding them

First are the opinions of two people I respect enormously with differing positions. (Don't be lazy, click on through to some juicy stuff.)


Carol Burris who was principal of the year in NYS and a champion as head of Network for Public Education which has fought for so many issues we believe in. 

Rather, it is to make the case that in those few states and cities like New York, where the virus is remarkably low, we have a moral obligation to children and our nation to try.
Opening NYC schools: an educational imperative
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-open-nyc-schools-20200825-mi5zp5h3ffcnllmhbc3j5ikxti-story.html
Carol seems to have some faith in the ability of Carranza and De Blasio to pull this off without a disaster. 

Arthur Goldstein, a friend for many years and chapter leader of one of the largest schools in NYC doesn't have that faith.

How de Blasio botched public schools’ reopening
Mayor de Blasio wants to open up schools in the worst way possible. That might be why everything he’s planned has been in the very worst way. He failed to plan for September beginning in April. There’s still no school calendar. Most recently, he gave principals only four days to plan for outdoor learning and decided it might be a good idea to check every room’s ventilation two weeks before opening.
De Blasio’s hybrid plan is outlandish.
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-how-de-blasio-botched-public-school-reopening-20200827-gg3i4fmsaza37euau55cusfxzi-story.html

Then there is the looming Layoffs witch will have long term effects

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-de-blasio-layoffs-unions-pay-freeze-reduction-furloughs-20200825-ugufpxbhundevaaksdnvunwxgq-story.html

There is some Parent frustration