Blog

At New Visions for Public Schools, It’s All About Continuous School Improvement. How’s That Going?

At New Visions for Public Schools, it’s all about continuous school improvement. The organization supports a network of 70 district and 10 charter schools in New York City serving, all told, 40,000 students. (When you include individual district support, those numbers increase to 440 schools serving 230,000 students.) Jefferson Pestronk, Vice President of Strategy and… Continue reading At New Visions for Public Schools, It’s All About Continuous School Improvement. How’s That Going?

Blog

Veteran Teacher Explains How He Went From A “Babe In the Woods” to “Developing a Clear Vision.”

One of my very best childhood friends who has known me since we were the same age of the students that I’ve taught over these years had a question for me. He asked, now that retirement has arrived, what were my goals when I first began teaching and did I meet these goals? An interesting… Continue reading Veteran Teacher Explains How He Went From A “Babe In the Woods” to “Developing a Clear Vision.”

Blog

‘Why are you taking your time?! Do your damn job!’: An Unlikely Friendship Between Two NYC Teachers.

I’d like to tell you about a friendship I developed with a fellow teaching colleague, one that grew from a complete loathing for one another. Michael Crump was our school’s athletic director, basketball coach and dean. He was also a licensed social studies teacher. In the role of a dean, you are responsible for maintaining… Continue reading ‘Why are you taking your time?! Do your damn job!’: An Unlikely Friendship Between Two NYC Teachers.

Accountability · Blog

Should New York Require Algebra 2 For Graduation? Answers from a NYC High School Student

New York City students completed taking their Regents exams last week, which led to a rather spirited discussion between my high school freshman and me as to whether Algebra 2, which my son passed at the end of 8th grade, should continue to be a graduation requirement or whether New York should get rid of… Continue reading Should New York Require Algebra 2 For Graduation? Answers from a NYC High School Student

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It’s The Two-Sided Teacher! Meet the Grizzly Bear and the Teddy Bear.

Glenn Mason is a former CPA who spent over 25 years in a variety of roles in corporate America. He is presently a New York City public high school teacher. This is in his twelfth academic year in his newfound career and his fourth guest post with New York School Talk. “Mister, can I speak… Continue reading It’s The Two-Sided Teacher! Meet the Grizzly Bear and the Teddy Bear.

Blog · School Choice

What Are Ocasio-Cortez’s Views on Public School Choice?

No one seemed more surprised at the obliteration of ten-term, fourth-ranking U.S. Representative Joseph Crowley than victor Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a self-identified Democratic Socialist. Last week, in a gobsmacking upset, she won the primary for New York’s 14th Congressional District. Politico described her today as “not just a full-blown political sensation but an international news phenomenon.”… Continue reading What Are Ocasio-Cortez’s Views on Public School Choice?

School Choice

Why I Gave My Son Permission To Drop Out Of High School

Last month I wrote about allowing my 14 year-old to make his own decision regarding where he’d go to high school. After letting it get down to the wire, he finally decided that he’ll be attending the same Specialized High School his older brother graduated from in 2017. But he isn’t particularly enthused about it.… Continue reading Why I Gave My Son Permission To Drop Out Of High School

Accountability

What’s the Value of an “Advanced Regents Diploma”? Parents Weigh In.

It was not until I had a recent conversation with my daughter’s guidance counselor about another matter that I was aware that she is on track to graduate with an Advanced Regents Diploma. This was news to me, as it was the first time I had heard about the different diploma options available. Traditionally, students… Continue reading What’s the Value of an “Advanced Regents Diploma”? Parents Weigh In.

Accountability

What Do You Need to Pass the Algebra 1 Test In NYS? Not Much.

“If you’re giving a kid a diploma based on a Regents score, does that pass mean that the kid has sufficient math skills?” asked Kim Nauer, education research director at The New School’s Center for New York City Affairs. Not in New York. Although, of course, students and their parents have no way of discerning… Continue reading What Do You Need to Pass the Algebra 1 Test In NYS? Not Much.

Accountability

Senior Blues: Who’s Accountable When High School Students Don’t Graduate On-Time or At All?

“Ms. Dukes, “I hear the tear-riddled voice of the student standing before me say, “I didn’t pass my (fill-in-the-blank) class. I’m not graduating.” NOT graduating? What are you talking about? Your high school graduation is next week! What in the world happened? I can’t help but hide the shock in my voice or the disappointment… Continue reading Senior Blues: Who’s Accountable When High School Students Don’t Graduate On-Time or At All?