This week was a bittersweet time for advocates of public education in New York City, highlighted by the monthly Panel for Educational Policy meeting (and protests!) as the leading event. At Thursday's meeting, Mayor Bloomburg's hand-picked appointees approved 23 school closures, despite vocal opposition from officials representing Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx. Over 2,000 protesters demonstrated at the Panel meeting, demanding a voice for New York City parents in the role of public education. They have been ignored by Chancellor Walcott and the rest of the mayor's appointees, but the media heard their message loud and clear:
Check out this round-up of the most important education news on the web.
Education Gap Grows Between Rich and Poor, Studies Say (New York Times)
Private-sector equity in U.S. education increases by 173% in 2011 (World Socialist Web Site)
Nine things you need to know about last night’s PEP meeting (Gotham Schools)
The people of New York City give Mayor Bloomburg's autocratic educational policy a vote of no confidence, according to the latest polls. (NYC Public School Parents)
Remember, there are two issues at stake here:
-The first is the continued success of the students of Schomburg Satellite Academy, an exceptional New York City transfer school that is slated to lose 7.5 of its 22 classrooms to a Bloomburg-mandated charter school.
-The second is that the education of students all over New York City, whose schools are run not by an elected body of representatives or parents, but by a domineering, unresponsive Panel established by and for the political interests of Mayor Bloomburg.
In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." SaveSatellite is committed to the cause of democracy and public education that benefits ALL stakeholders.
Thanks to all for the continued support of our site, our school, and the students of all New York City public schools!
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