Reprieve for 2 schools slated to close
by Linda Ocasio | December 4, 2014 New York Teacher issue
Averting the threatened closure by the state of two long-troubled high schools in Brooklyn, the UFT and the Department of Education on Nov. 7 agreed to a plan aimed at revitalizing them instead.
The plan for Boys and Girls HS and Automotive HS features extended learning time for students, an additional week of professional development during the summer for teachers, the creation of a school renewal plan tailored to each school’s needs, and a review of the current staff and principal.
“This is a historic day for these two schools and for our commitment to improving all city schools,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “We have a real partnership with our city’s educators that will spell success.”
Under the Bloomberg administration, the two schools had high concentrations of high-needs students, many who came in over the counter as the DOE steered these students to schools that were already struggling. Not surprisingly, both high schools suffered from poor student performance, chronic discipline problems and low graduation rates.
“These two schools have never been treated fairly,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew.
The State Education Department did not take strong action until this year. It rejected the first turnaround plan submitted and threatened to come in and close both schools if drastic action were not taken, according to UFT officials.
“It’s a shame the state Board of Regents or its chancellor didn’t demand action during all the years the Bloomberg administration was running these schools into the ground,” said Mulgrew.
Under the new agreement, a joint DOE/UFT planning committee will design a plan for turning around each school, which will include a mandatory week of professional development in the summer. Teachers will be paid prorata for the additional week.
All teachers at the two schools must reapply for their positions. If they choose not to — or if they are not offered their old positions back — they may seek an Open Market Transfer. If they don’t find a position on the open market, they will be placed for one year in another Brooklyn high school with a suitable vacancy in license if one exists, following a process distinct from the Absent Teacher Reserve.
The committee overseeing staffing at each school will have equal representation from the union and the DOE. Any staffing disputes will go straight to the chancellor and the UFT president to be resolved
Reprieve for 2 schools slated to close
by Linda Ocasio | December 4, 2014 New York Teacher issue
Averting the threatened closure by the state of two long-troubled high schools in Brooklyn, the UFT and the Department of Education on Nov. 7 agreed to a plan aimed at revitalizing them instead.
The plan for Boys and Girls HS and Automotive HS features extended learning time for students, an additional week of professional development during the summer for teachers, the creation of a school renewal plan tailored to each school’s needs, and a review of the current staff and principal.
“This is a historic day for these two schools and for our commitment to improving all city schools,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “We have a real partnership with our city’s educators that will spell success.”
Under the Bloomberg administration, the two schools had high concentrations of high-needs students, many who came in over the counter as the DOE steered these students to schools that were already struggling. Not surprisingly, both high schools suffered from poor student performance, chronic discipline problems and low graduation rates.
“These two schools have never been treated fairly,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew.
The State Education Department did not take strong action until this year. It rejected the first turnaround plan submitted and threatened to come in and close both schools if drastic action were not taken, according to UFT officials.
“It’s a shame the state Board of Regents or its chancellor didn’t demand action during all the years the Bloomberg administration was running these schools into the ground,” said Mulgrew.
Under the new agreement, a joint DOE/UFT planning committee will design a plan for turning around each school, which will include a mandatory week of professional development in the summer. Teachers will be paid prorata for the additional week.
All teachers at the two schools must reapply for their positions. If they choose not to — or if they are not offered their old positions back — they may seek an Open Market Transfer. If they don’t find a position on the open market, they will be placed for one year in another Brooklyn high school with a suitable vacancy in license if one exists, following a process distinct from the Absent Teacher Reserve.
The committee overseeing staffing at each school will have equal representation from the union and the DOE. Any staffing disputes will go straight to the chancellor and the UFT president to be resolved
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