GothamSchools — daily independent reporting on NYC public schools

I have to disagree with Anonymous above. I like extended day, though I certainly wish it were more flexible–more like a drop-in time two days a week, say, with the mandated kids on the other two days. Some kids who might not be “mandated” could nevertheless use a little extra help on an occasional, rather than ongoing, basis. No, small though it may be, the point that truly tickles me is the one about personal days. They should be PERSONAL. My attendance record is exemplary, I have almost a month in my CAR, and I should not be subject to the third degree if I want to take a personal day once a year.

I don’t like extended days either. I’m all for it if it’s for clubs or sports or other activities besides academics. Seems kids nowadays are offered very little outside of the ELA/Math/Testing programs. Want proof? Go to a parade and count how many public school bands take part. You’ll see bands from all over the country and private school bands. NYC public school bands? Hardly any.

The proposed procedural requirements re staff accused of sexually molesting students is extremely dangerous for children with disabilities. It is often difficult to prove such instances when the kids are severely disabled or at least prove them with the high level of evidence needed in a formal prosecution or tenure-breaking hearing. Not having evidence sufficient to prevail in these kinds of proceedings doesn’t mean the charges aren’t valid – often it’s just that attorneys know what a tough job trying these cases really is, by their very nature, and thus don’t push them to trial. US DOE’s study on school molestations showed that disabled children are sexually molested in schools at rates exponentially higher than their nondisabled peers. However, prosecutions and disciplinary proceedings on this basis are quite rare.

Before the NYC govt. agrees to this provision, we need substantial public disclosure re number and type of molestation complaints each year, as well as the jobs which are associated with them and the types of school buildings and programs where they arise. And the 5 NYC district attorneys should be asked for formal public comment re whether this will make their jobs harder should people be the subject of more than one such complaint over time.

By far the biggest issue is the funding formula that discriminates against senior teachers. After that, it’s the lack of support/ridiculous workload for new teachers. Finally there’s the absence of extra pay for extra work. Teachers with more preps or tougher assignments – either tough schools or tough classes – should get extra money. It might be a hassle to administer in some cases, but fairness is worth a little extra effort. I expect that Unity will not deliver on any of these issues.

jeff s. is completely correct, as well as the comment about ‘THE WAY SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED” changing. These 2 facts are the problem behind the ATRs not being hired. The longer day is not fun but ATRs losing their jobs because their school was closed and no principal will hire them make the extended day seem insignificant if we CARE about each other! I work at a large school in Brooklyn that is a good school. Yes it would be better if I could hand-pick a few bad eggs to remove from the classrooms as the other teacher said, but I NEED MY JOB! We ALL need jobs! THAT MUST TAKE FIRST PRIORITY-THAT BLOOMBERG NOT BE ABLE TO LIMIT HOW LONG WE CAN BE PAID-JOB SECURITY. There is a lovely ATR in my school who can not get an interview(came from south shore) because he makes too much! WE MUST KEEP OUR JOBS-SENIORITY JOB SECURITY! THAT MUST BE NUMBER ! FOR ALL OUR SAKES!!! You all could be faces with a principal that wants you out or a school that is restructured. NO loss of job security must be foremost.