GothamSchools — daily independent reporting on NYC public schools

In April, New York City students will sit down to state tests that are tied for the first time to the tougher Common Core learning standards. Last fall, we convened city educators to discuss their transition to the new standards in English language arts. Now, we want to continue that conversation about math. (more…)

The end of the 2012 election season means that the 2013 campaign season has begun. In New York City, all eyes are on who will succeed Mayor Bloomberg after 12 years in charge of the city — and, uniquely among city mayors, of its schools.

Will the next mayor preserve Bloomberg’s policies? Or will he or she be less friendly to charter schools, more welcoming of parent input in decision-making, or less critical of the teachers union? The Democratic contenders for the mayoral nomination have six months to differentiate themselves on these issues and more.

On Monday, GothamSchools will play a role in trying to figure out just how each of the candidates would rule the schools. Along with Lindsey Christ of NY1, I’ll be moderating a panel on education policy featuring all six likely candidates. (more…)

We know that some teachers and families can focus only on moment-to-moment, practical concerns right now. But many others are slowly returning to the regular cadence of teaching and learning, and a big part of that this year in the city’s schools is the Common Core standards.

We want to get educators from across the city talking to each other about the standards and the student work that reflects them — and we want to listen in on the conversation. That’s why we’re inviting teachers and others interested in the new standards to join us on Nov. 26 for “The Art of Teaching and Learning to the Common Core.” (more…)

If you aren’t already planning to join GothamSchools on Sunday afternoon for a special showing of “Brooklyn Castle,” the new documentary about I.S. 318′s chess team, the first sentence of its Salon review might change your mind.

Film critic Andrew O’Hehir writes,

If you want reassurance that not everything about American public education is hopelessly broken — and if you want to see what may well be the most optimistic, inspiring and downright thrilling movie released all year – then absolutely do not miss Katie Dellamaggiore’s documentary “Brooklyn Castle.”

We are commandeering a theater at Lincoln Center’s Film Society on Sunday at 1:45 p.m. to see for ourselves. And just today, we got exciting news from the theater: For our showing only, teachers and Department of Education employees can buy tickets at the same discounted price as students and seniors. That puts the ticket price at $9, rather than the regular price of $13. (No advanced purchase is necessary!) (more…)

Above, clockwise from left: GothamSchools readers look on during Paul Tough’s talk Sept. 29 at Léman Manhattan Preparatory School; Tough spoke about his new book, “How Children Succeed”; guests grab snacks before claiming a seat; and I.S. 318 chess teacher Elizabeth Spiegel answers questions after the event.

If you missed our event last weekend with author Paul Tough – or even if you made it — you might want to mark your calendar for Sunday, Oct. 21.

That afternoon, we’ll be taking over an auditorium at Lincoln Center for a special showing of “Brooklyn Castle,” the new movie that documents the stunning successes of the chess team at Brooklyn’s I.S. 318. More details about the event, including information about discounted ticket prices, will come next week. (more…)

Some of our readers took a short break from summer teaching and learning, Common Core curriculum planning, and (of course) beach-going last week to celebrate the upcoming school year with GothamSchools.

Even though an evening rain storm drove us off our roof deck, we still had a great time, and heard some great story ideas.

We’re also looking forward to seeing more of our readers soon: On Sept. 29 we will be hosting education writer Paul Tough, who will be reading from his new book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiousity, and the Hidden Power of Character. More details to follow. (more…)

Today is the day that applications to New York City high schools are due, the beginning of the end of the process that will sort eighth-graders into high schools, taking into account a combination of the student’s preferences, the schools’ preferences, and randomness.

The process can be messy and frustrating for everyone from special education students, who have to fly a little blind in figuring out which schools would accommodate them best, to the most academically successful students, who face monumental odds trying to get into the top specialized schools, like Stuyvesant and Bronx Science.

At Inside Schools, Liz Willen, a former New York City education reporter who is now a New York City parent, marks the occasion by reviewing the steps that got her son to today — and offering this amazing quote:

Harvard University’s Dean of Admissions William Fitzsimmons, whose territory includes New York City, told me he’s always known “that it’s much more difficult to get into any school in New York than it is to get into Harvard.’’

Some GothamSchools review: We kicked off the season with advice from experts.

Randi Weingarten (via Flickr)

Randi Weingarten, the teachers union president, hopes to be known as an unconventional labor leader. She will be sending that signal strongly on Monday, in a speech at the National Press Club that she is hyping as a big deal — both to reporters and to D.C. education insiders. Mayor Bloomberg is introducing her speech, which is titled, “Making the Right Choices for Education and the Economy.”

Janet Bass, a spokeswoman for the American Federation of Teachers, the national union that Weingarten recently became president of (she’s holding onto her local New York City presidency too), told me that the speech will be “provocative”:

She’s going to be talking about provocative ways — interesting, unconventional ways — to improve schools and student achievement, and will be putting forth some recommendations that some people would not think are typical of a teachers union.

Any guesses on what Weingarten will endorse? Keep in mind that in her big speech accepting the presidency of the AFT, she promoted the idea of “community schools.” In case you’ve forgotten, below the jump is a video clip with the key description: (more…)