Comments on: The second coming of Eva Moskowitz http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/04/the-second-coming-of-eva-moskowitz/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:30:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: NB http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/04/the-second-coming-of-eva-moskowitz/comment-page-1/#comment-90732 NB Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:19:13 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=3891#comment-90732 I am a parent of a student at HSA 1. I agree, the curriculum and goals of Eva and her team are rigorous and challenging, but I am more than impressed with the education of development of my child. I have no problem with purchasing books each semester. As a new charter, they are still working out the kinks. While some parents borrow libraries, there are not enough to go around, especially in our neighborhood. In order to "snag" the books, you have to travel way outside of the community to get them. Also... having a personal library is a wonderful addition to the home. Yes.. the demands from the parents sometimes cause a strain, but my child's academic career is worth it. I could go on and on, but I will spare you all. I know that my child will be prepared for the next level of education, thanks to the commitment from Eva and the staff. Job well done, Eva!!! I am a parent of a student at HSA 1. I agree, the curriculum and goals of Eva and her team are rigorous and challenging, but I am more than impressed with the education of development of my child. I have no problem with purchasing books each semester. As a new charter, they are still working out the kinks. While some parents borrow libraries, there are not enough to go around, especially in our neighborhood. In order to “snag” the books, you have to travel way outside of the community to get them. Also… having a personal library is a wonderful addition to the home. Yes.. the demands from the parents sometimes cause a strain, but my child’s academic career is worth it. I could go on and on, but I will spare you all. I know that my child will be prepared for the next level of education, thanks to the commitment from Eva and the staff. Job well done, Eva!!!

]]> By: Dawn http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/04/the-second-coming-of-eva-moskowitz/comment-page-1/#comment-1279 Dawn Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:30:15 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=3891#comment-1279 The Times forgot to include in the list of demands that Moskowitz makes of parents is that they buy $100 worth of reading books twice a year from the Bank Street Book Store. Sure a home library is great to have, but that is assuming that parents do not already have one and it is also ignoring the fact that parents borrow a heap of books from the library to reach the 6 books per week requirement. The Times forgot to include in the list of demands that Moskowitz makes of parents is that they buy $100 worth of reading books twice a year from the Bank Street Book Store. Sure a home library is great to have, but that is assuming that parents do not already have one and it is also ignoring the fact that parents borrow a heap of books from the library to reach the 6 books per week requirement.

]]> By: Andy Wolf http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/04/the-second-coming-of-eva-moskowitz/comment-page-1/#comment-454 Andy Wolf Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:55:15 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=3891#comment-454 There is nothing about the structure of charters per se that guarantees success. While I have respect for Eva Moskowitz's intelligence and her ability to pick out a reading program with a real track record, we cannot forget that the success of many charters is predetermined by the self-selection process. The student body may be drawn by lottery, but it is a lottery of chidren of parents savvy enough to care. Moskowitz may be well intentioned, but what of other politicos given charters like Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo of the Bronx, who has a long record of negative interference during the worst days of decentralization. And who does she pick as principal of one of her schools? Evelyn Hey, who was nabbed by Ed Stancik for rigging the test scores in the public school she was principal of (the case was botched, and after a couple of years in the rubber room Hey was allowed to retire). I guess Carmen wants a principal with a proven track record of raising scores! So I take high test scores at Charters or any small school with a grain of salt. Remember how an investigation in Texas revealed widespread test cheating at Charters. And the recent revelations about the school in Charleston should send a warning bell as well. There is nothing about the structure of charters per se that guarantees success. While I have respect for Eva Moskowitz’s intelligence and her ability to pick out a reading program with a real track record, we cannot forget that the success of many charters is predetermined by the self-selection process. The student body may be drawn by lottery, but it is a lottery of chidren of parents savvy enough to care.

Moskowitz may be well intentioned, but what of other politicos given charters like Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo of the Bronx, who has a long record of negative interference during the worst days of decentralization. And who does she pick as principal of one of her schools? Evelyn Hey, who was nabbed by Ed Stancik for rigging the test scores in the public school she was principal of (the case was botched, and after a couple of years in the rubber room Hey was allowed to retire). I guess Carmen wants a principal with a proven track record of raising scores!

So I take high test scores at Charters or any small school with a grain of salt. Remember how an investigation in Texas revealed widespread test cheating at Charters. And the recent revelations about the school in Charleston should send a warning bell as well.

]]> By: Sylvia http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/04/the-second-coming-of-eva-moskowitz/comment-page-1/#comment-451 Sylvia Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:19:29 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=3891#comment-451 F Harry Stow- we already do see the Charter Performance as they are completely accountable for their results, far more so than traditional schools. NYC Charters are 8 of the top 20 schools in the city, and outperfromed even New York State on both math and ELA last year. When Eva's schools take their first tests this year, we'll have a good sense of whether her philosohpy really works. I'm betting it does! F Harry Stow- we already do see the Charter Performance as they are completely accountable for their results, far more so than traditional schools. NYC Charters are 8 of the top 20 schools in the city, and outperfromed even New York State on both math and ELA last year. When Eva’s schools take their first tests this year, we’ll have a good sense of whether her philosohpy really works. I’m betting it does!

]]> By: Fred NYC http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/04/the-second-coming-of-eva-moskowitz/comment-page-1/#comment-445 Fred NYC Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:00:54 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=3891#comment-445 I think there may be a conflict of interest issue here. I think there may be a conflict of interest issue here.

]]> By: F Harry Stow http://gothamschools.org/2008/11/04/the-second-coming-of-eva-moskowitz/comment-page-1/#comment-435 F Harry Stow Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:25:02 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=3891#comment-435 Ms. Moskowtiz tenure as Education Committee Chair was inconsistent. She failed to address the major reorganizations institued by the mayor and chancellor. Instead, she challenged the UFT and gave short shift to advocates and other education professionals. Now she is Charter School advocate, a pet project of the current administration. Will we actual see the test scores, graduation and dropout rates of the Charters? Unlikely. Ms. Moskowtiz tenure as Education Committee Chair was inconsistent. She failed to address the major reorganizations institued by the mayor and chancellor. Instead, she challenged the UFT and gave short shift to advocates and other education professionals. Now she is Charter School advocate, a pet project of the current administration. Will we actual see the test scores, graduation and dropout rates of the Charters? Unlikely.

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