Where we agree, where we disagree
From New Action’s May 2016 Leaflet Where We Agree We agree that 200 lawyers at Tweed is about 200 too many. But we need leadership that tells this to Fariña, sits down, and gets something done. We agree that the current funding formula for schools makes no sense, that principals are forced to
Get Test Scores Out of Teacher Evaluation
New Action urges: no test scores in teacher evaluation. Unity responds by not letting members vote. At the January 11, 2016 UFT Executive Board meeting, New Action urged opposition to the use of test scores to evaluate teachers, and urged that we use the four year moratorium to lobby for a change in
In Support of Opt Out
In New York State our children are being inundated with Common Core exams that determine their teachers’ ratings (even gym, art and music teachers!) and narrow the entire school year to a rigid “teach to the test” agenda. We stand in solidarity with parents who want to opt their children out
Cuomo’s War on Educators
Andrew Cuomo got much of what he wanted in his attack on NY state’s teachers. Tenure now will take four years. Fifty percent of our ratings will be based on standardized tests that our students take. It will be quicker to fire teachers. This set of changes is designed to “churn” teachers, t
Support the I Refuse Resolution
(from the New Action leaflet distributed at the February 2015 Delegate Assembly). For a printable version click: February 2015 Leaflet (Front) and (back) New Action supports putting the I Refuse Resolution on this afternoon’s agenda. To be clear, the “I Refuse” speaks to supporting par
Who are tests bad for?
(from the New Action leaflet distributed at the December 2013 Delegate Assembly). For a printable version click: December 2013 Leaflet WHO ARE TESTS BAD FOR? New Action opposes the Teacher Evaluation System, largely due to rating teachers based on student test scores. But we should object to tests f
High Stakes Tests Make Kids Sick
This Wednesday the UFT passed a resolution that says, in part “the current intensity of the standardized test taking and test prep affects children emotionally and physically leading to anxiety, frustration, low self-esteem, headaches, and other physical ailments” This text was offered a
Three Resolutions
(from the New Action leaflet distributed at the September 2013 Citywide Chapter Leaders Meeting). For a printable version click: NA/UFT DA Leaflet October 2013 Lesson Plan Resolution New Action Executive Board member, Bill Goldman, Chapter Leader of Tottenville HS, presented the resolution on lesson
Report from UFT October 7 Executive Board
Open mike – there was only one speaker, Marjorie Stamberg, who spoke about the repression of teachers in Mexico, especially from the south (I think she mentioned Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Chiapas). Marjorie spent time this summer in Mexico. She said that she would bring the information to the Comm
New Tenure Plan
You Could Be Removed (after 2 years) before the Letters in Your File (after 3 years) New Action opposes the teacher evaluation system just proposed by the Board of Regents, with support from the NYSUT and UFT leaderships. The proposal would base a significant part of each teacher’s rating, up to 4