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If I had major flaws in my teacher assessment notebooks, I’d be rated unsatisfactory. I wonder why David Cantor hold himself and the DOE to another set of standards? Why aren’t they required to collect and use data properly?

It is time for a complete, comprehensive audit of ALL the high school transcripts starting from 2004 and then provide the public with the auditors’ findings. Many teachers have complained to the union, the newspapers, and to their politicians about the ongoing problems of credit accumulation in the high schools. In the NEW YORK TIMES,April 11, 2008,”A Graduation Shortcut for Student Short Credits”,By ELISSA GOOTMAN and SHARONA COUTTS, the following was stated: One Manhattan principal who has worked in the school system for more than a decade and, like many educators, requested anonymity for fear of retribution by the department, said: “I think that credit recovery and the related topic independent study is in lots of ways the dirty little secret of high schools. There’s very little oversight and there are very few standards.” In the same article, Klein stated, “If credit recovery is not conducted properly, just as with any other required course, we will take appropriate action,” he added. “We do students no favors by giving them credit they haven’t earned.” If Thompson does a thorough investigation and audit of ALL the transcripts and the improprieties of grade changes and credit accumulation are legit, then Klein must follow through on his words. Otherwise, fire Klein for deceiving the public with inflated graduation rate. If incompetent teachers are discontinued, then it must done across the board at Tweed. Cantor is upset that he was not allowed into the press conference, yet Senator Huntley stated that she’s not allowed in the schools that are in her districts unless the principals call Tweed to give her clearance. Why the double standards in the BloomKlein administration? This administration is so far and removed from democracy that there are socialist countries that are beginning to be less autocratic that NYC.

Actually, you can’t get into the DOE press conferences as an unaffiliated member of the public. There’s only room for the press, staff and maybe and a few selected observers. Control, control, control.

But you couldn’t get into the school yard if you weren’t affiliated with the DOE in some way, shape or form.

Mr. Cantor,
What then is your explanation for 30 or so parents on one side, and 20 or so on the other, NOT being allowed in to the above mentioned press conference on June 28?

We were barred, plain and simple, though not by you personally. I will be happy to share the video of our conversation with the NYPD sargeant who was sent to intercept us as we walked toward the school.

Thanks.