GothamSchools — daily independent reporting on NYC public schools

If I recall correctly, the latest round of school closings began because the city and union could not agree on an evaluation framework. The turnaround model was important because it qualified for federal funds, which were sorely needed. Then the UFT agreed to an evaluation framework, and Bloomberg declared he was closing the schools anyway, rationale or no. 

Then there was a dispute over what the rules were. Obama wants at least 50% of staff replaced, but 18D of UFT contract says at least 50% of most senior qualified applicants must be retained. Bloomberg then magnanimously agrees to follow contract he signed, which he’d eventually have had to do anyway. So federal funds may not apply after all.

Naturally, Mayor Bloomberg was closing the schools anyway, because the sorely needed federal funds don’t matter after all. The important thing is for the richest man in New York to do what he wants, when he wants, how he wants. Who cares whether the schools actually meet DOE requirements for closure? Not Mike Bloomberg. Who cares whether communities universally oppose his plans? Not Mayor Mike? And who cares whether or not there is a viable rationale to do so? Not the PEP, our fake school board, which simply does whatever the mayor says, ignoring any and all facts, arguments, communities, or anything whatsoever that gets in the way of the druthers of this mayor.

In NYC education, Bloomberg’s money talks, no one else’s voice counts for anything whatsoever, and logic and consistency are meaningless.

Wow! I read that 64% of everyone asked did not believe that closing schools was good educational policy, But no worries, I still have faith that there is conmon ground for your side and mine to come together to address these important issues.

Then again, I’m not known for my intelligence, so there’s that

I’m reading that as being city households with kids under 18, not union households. The Manhattan private-school and outer borough parochial/private school crowd has lots of love for Bloomy and very little for unions, in my experience. 

Ah, you’re right. Not so interesting, then. Looks like only a few out of ten respondents in union households think closures are sound education policy.

I agree the wording of the question seems to contain a lot of bias in either direction, which is curious for a group as accomplished as Quinnipiac. 

But setting that issue aside, if one can, and taking into account the margin of error, there is no clear majority for or against the closure policy among EITHER all respondents OR parents of school-aged children.  As many as 42% might think it’s good policy (38+3) and as few as 41% might see it as an attack on the union (44-3).  With this degree of overlap, the headline is more appropriately “Public Evenly DIvided on Wisdom of School Closure Policy”

I’m not arguing my personal views here, but from a reporting standpoint, I’s like to see GS can set a high standard, and not repeat mistakes I would expect to see in the general press.  

Any poll that is conducted in NYC will exclude families  whose children attend the turnaround schools and their communities. The time the the poll is taking, the language in which the questions are asked, as well as the education of the person who responds, will affect the outcome. Most if not all the schools that will be  ”closed” are located in working class communities.  In other words the poll is useless!

But there is a clear majority who do not think that the closures are a good policy amongst PUBLIC school parents.  This is an important distinction.  I venture to suggest that most would be profoundly upset at having the school in which their own child is being educated closed or phased out.  

I really believe this is part of the problem. What does the poll say? How do people respond? How does it make politicians look? What will it mean for the next election / candidate.
I think it is time we as a society begin to look at schools and educational institutions as just that. What do educators, children, and parents think? If we begin with the premise that educational institutions were built for children, and their needs we will make in roads, I also want to express that I mean all their needs. I mean emotional, educational, medical, etc. Politics and the destructive influence of politics is making the efforts of people who believe they entered the profession of caring for children more and more difficult. The climate created as of recent years needs to be rectified, and policies of really putting children in the front of the class need to be introduced, and that means spending money wisely, and making sure children and their needs are met. All children need to be asked the important questions. Society should then answer them without political debate. America will benefit.
Ari Steinfeld