Comments on: A pitch to expand the city’s parents’ bill of rights (which exists) http://gothamschools.org/2009/05/21/a-pitch-to-expand-the-citys-parents-bill-of-rights-which-exists/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: A week after criticism, city expands its parents bill of rights - Online Education in America http://gothamschools.org/2009/05/21/a-pitch-to-expand-the-citys-parents-bill-of-rights-which-exists/comment-page-1/#comment-128994 A week after criticism, city expands its parents bill of rights - Online Education in America Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:07:59 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=14845#comment-128994 [...] bill of rights Posted in 654 at May 27th, 2009 / // When City Council Member Bill de Blasio criticized the Department of Education’s bill of rights for parents as being too limited last week, it [...] [...] bill of rights Posted in 654 at May 27th, 2009 / // When City Council Member Bill de Blasio criticized the Department of Education’s bill of rights for parents as being too limited last week, it [...]

]]> By: David C. Bloomfield http://gothamschools.org/2009/05/21/a-pitch-to-expand-the-citys-parents-bill-of-rights-which-exists/comment-page-1/#comment-123249 David C. Bloomfield Mon, 25 May 2009 15:31:59 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=14845#comment-123249 The DOE's "Bill of Rights" is required by the New York State Education Law section 2590-h(15)(c), which charges the Chancellor with "developing, in consultation with associations of parents in the city district, and implementing no later than October first, nineteen hundred ninety-eight, a parental bill of rights which provides for, at minimum: (i) reasonable access by parents, persons in parental relation and guardians to schools, classrooms, and academic and attendance records of their own children, consistent with federal and state laws, provided that such access does not disrupt or interfere with the regular school process; (ii) the rights of parents, persons in parental relation and guardians to take legal action and appeal the decisions of the school administration, as authorized by law; (iii) the right of parents, persons in parental relation and guardians to have information on their own child's educational materials; (iv) access to and information about all public meetings, hearings of the chancellor, the city board, the community superintendents, the community boards, and the schools; and (v) access to information regarding programs that allow students to apply for admission where appropriate to schools outside a student's own attendance zone." The DOE’s “Bill of Rights” is required by the New York State Education Law section 2590-h(15)(c), which charges the Chancellor with “developing, in consultation with associations of parents in the
city district, and implementing no later than October first, nineteen
hundred ninety-eight, a parental bill of rights which provides for, at minimum:
(i) reasonable access by parents, persons in parental relation and
guardians to schools, classrooms, and academic and attendance records of
their own children, consistent with federal and state laws, provided
that such access does not disrupt or interfere with the regular school
process; (ii) the rights of parents, persons in parental relation and guardians to take legal action and appeal the decisions of the school
administration, as authorized by law; (iii) the right of parents, persons in parental relation and guardians
to have information on their own child’s educational materials; (iv) access to and information about all public meetings, hearings of the chancellor, the city board, the community superintendents, the
community boards, and the schools; and (v) access to information regarding programs that allow students to apply for admission where appropriate to schools outside a student’s own attendance zone.”

]]> By: ceolaf http://gothamschools.org/2009/05/21/a-pitch-to-expand-the-citys-parents-bill-of-rights-which-exists/comment-page-1/#comment-121665 ceolaf Fri, 22 May 2009 14:46:07 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=14845#comment-121665 The problem with any bill of rights is that is some time to operationalize those rights into policies. It's one thing to agree that some group has some right, it's another to agree on how it would actually work on the ground. Obviously, the model for any such list is the Bill of Rights amended to our federal constitution. But it took decades for the interpretation to be worked worked out, and at least one additional constitutional amendment to give it today's meanings (i.e. that they apply to the states, in addition to the federal government). Unfortunately, those who put forth one bill of rights or another do not have the patience to work through that process. Instead, "X bill of rights" has replaced "war on" in our public policy discussions, with about as much real chance of advancement. Nice catchy titles that are hard to argue with and are meant for public -- and media -- consumption, but little thought into practicalities and complications. And so they become aspirational, rather determinative. Hopes, rather than law. And they cheapen the idea of "rights," redefining the term downward. I know that Elizabeth did the right thing in passing this on, but it's just PR and a stunt on DeBlasio's part. The problem with any bill of rights is that is some time to operationalize those rights into policies. It’s one thing to agree that some group has some right, it’s another to agree on how it would actually work on the ground.

Obviously, the model for any such list is the Bill of Rights amended to our federal constitution. But it took decades for the interpretation to be worked worked out, and at least one additional constitutional amendment to give it today’s meanings (i.e. that they apply to the states, in addition to the federal government).

Unfortunately, those who put forth one bill of rights or another do not have the patience to work through that process. Instead, “X bill of rights” has replaced “war on” in our public policy discussions, with about as much real chance of advancement. Nice catchy titles that are hard to argue with and are meant for public — and media — consumption, but little thought into practicalities and complications. And so they become aspirational, rather determinative. Hopes, rather than law. And they cheapen the idea of “rights,” redefining the term downward.

I know that Elizabeth did the right thing in passing this on, but it’s just PR and a stunt on DeBlasio’s part.

]]> By: Michael M. http://gothamschools.org/2009/05/21/a-pitch-to-expand-the-citys-parents-bill-of-rights-which-exists/comment-page-1/#comment-121657 Michael M. Fri, 22 May 2009 13:53:32 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=14845#comment-121657 Goals shmoals. Parents need ROLES. Choice shmoice. Parents need a VOICE. Typical of DOE to give parents more responsibilities than rights, and power? Gawd ferbid. Patrick is spot on. Goals shmoals.
Parents need ROLES.

Choice shmoice.
Parents need a VOICE.

Typical of DOE to give parents more responsibilities than rights, and power? Gawd ferbid.
Patrick is spot on.

]]> By: Public School Parents’ Bill of Rights « OntheWilderSide http://gothamschools.org/2009/05/21/a-pitch-to-expand-the-citys-parents-bill-of-rights-which-exists/comment-page-1/#comment-121637 Public School Parents’ Bill of Rights « OntheWilderSide Fri, 22 May 2009 12:06:13 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=14845#comment-121637 [...] GothamSchools.org A pitch to expand the city’s parents’ bill of rights (which exists) by Elizabeth Green While [...] [...] GothamSchools.org A pitch to expand the city’s parents’ bill of rights (which exists) by Elizabeth Green While [...]

]]> By: Patrick J. Sullivan http://gothamschools.org/2009/05/21/a-pitch-to-expand-the-citys-parents-bill-of-rights-which-exists/comment-page-1/#comment-121601 Patrick J. Sullivan Fri, 22 May 2009 10:53:59 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=14845#comment-121601 These are, of course, all laudable things to desire but offering them now when the governance structure is being debated is a distraction from the important questions of how budgetary and policy authority should be reformed. Why? Because the mayor and chancellor would embrace every one of these "rights", promise to do better and absolutely nothing would change. In Manhattan parents from District 2 and District 3 have had to launch two lawsuits to protect even the rights we have under current law. Wishful thinking is not going to help our kids. Those who seek to represent parents in citywide offices need to outline hard-nosed solutions to the problems we face. These are, of course, all laudable things to desire but offering them now when the governance structure is being debated is a distraction from the important questions of how budgetary and policy authority should be reformed. Why? Because the mayor and chancellor would embrace every one of these “rights”, promise to do better and absolutely nothing would change. In Manhattan parents from District 2 and District 3 have had to launch two lawsuits to protect even the rights we have under current law. Wishful thinking is not going to help our kids. Those who seek to represent parents in citywide offices need to outline hard-nosed solutions to the problems we face.

]]> By: ceolaf http://gothamschools.org/2009/05/21/a-pitch-to-expand-the-citys-parents-bill-of-rights-which-exists/comment-page-1/#comment-121351 ceolaf Fri, 22 May 2009 02:44:22 +0000 http://gothamschools.org/?p=14845#comment-121351 Bill, It looks to me like #'s 1-3 are as much children's right's as parents' -- probably much more so, actually. At what point do children's right become parents' rights? Have you considered "families' rights"? Or, do you consider what society owes to children to really be owed to their parents? If so, what would that say about the purpose and nature of schooling? Is it to satisfy parents, or is it something for children -- in addition to possibly being something for society? Bill,

It looks to me like #’s 1-3 are as much children’s right’s as parents’ — probably much more so, actually.

At what point do children’s right become parents’ rights? Have you considered “families’ rights”? Or, do you consider what society owes to children to really be owed to their parents?

If so, what would that say about the purpose and nature of schooling? Is it to satisfy parents, or is it something for children — in addition to possibly being something for society?

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