Bloomberg and Klein on Class Size

Mayor Bloomberg talks about small high schools, but rather than invest in them, he breaks larger high schools into four or five small ones.

Klein’s one and only contract proposal to the UFT completely eliminated all limits on class size.

Worse, he actively fights small class size.

When the city was on the verge of a ballot initiative to lower class size, he personally quashed it, maintaining it would confuse the voters. Mayor Mike wanted to eliminate party primaries in NYC. He spent millions of his own dollars surreptitiously promoting this initiative, which failed. Too bad—Republicans will just have to continue calling themselves Republicans when they run.

As for the 115,000 New Yorkers who signed the petition—Mayor Mike’s vote overrides yours.

When the Campaign for Fiscal Equity won a landmark lawsuit, along with billions toward hiring better teachers and reducing class size, the judge stated NYC could be required to contribute. CFE proposed the city pay 25%. Governor Pataki proposed the city pay 40%. Mayor Bloomberg offered not one dime, and one of his reps told the New York Times they’d consider saying “No, thank you.” if they were required to actually contribute.

Bloomberg and Klein on Teacher Quality

Bad teachers are the problem, if you listen to Klein, Bloomberg, or the NYC tabloids. Why, then, are they so keen on hiring them?

Soon after Bloomberg purchased his position, he took the LAST test, correctly proclaimed that any high school graduate ought to be able to pass it, and expressed surprise so many teaching candidates missed the mark. He made a great deal of noise about how NYC would have certified teachers.

But when push came to shove, Bloomy sent Klein to Albany to beg for the right to hire and retain those who failed the test! Underqualified teachers are paid less than NYS certified teachers.

Now many will say that certification alone does not ensure a good teacher, and I couldn't agree more. But failing that LAST test virtually guarantees a bad one. Why, then does Bloomy do this? He does for about 3,000 bucks per teacher.

Mayor Mike needs to save up to give away a stadium to a billionaire. Most of us will never set foot inside, because you need a season ticket to see the Jets, and they're sold out for the next ten years.

And what to do about the bad teachers? Why, blame the evil UFT, of course.