Daily News: 140 Principals Write De Blasio, Say Eval System Needs Overhaul

Having just undergone my second observation of the year, with two more to go, I can say that yes, the system is insane:

More than 100 New York City principals are in full-fledged revolt against key Bloomberg administration reforms of the last 12 years.

In an open letter to Mayor-elect de Blasio, the principals call for “completely” overhauling the new teacher and principal evaluations, among other changes.

They want to see the school system transformed “after years of detrimental educational policies and practices,” the letter signed by 140 principals said.

“We are hoping for considerable change,” said Julie Zuckerman, a co-author of the letter and principal of Castle Bridge School in Manhattan, where city tests that form a key part of the evaluations were canceled after more than 80% of parents opted out.

The principals also want to reduce the use of test scores to the minimum required by federal law, including the elimination of the high-stakes letter grades for schools — a move de Blasio has supported during the campaign.

They also support his stand on universal, full-day prekindergarten, but at the same time, they want him to cede the mayor’s majority control of the Department of Education’s Panel for Educational Policy to at-large community members — a move he opposes.

The response from the de Blasio camp:

De Blasio spokeswoman Lis Smith promised a change in tone, noting the mayor-elect plans to work with parents and educators.

“He has championed many of the policies laid out in the principals’ letter, including universal pre-K and lowering the stakes on standardized tests,” she said.

“Along with the next education chancellor, he will set a tone of respect for the city’s educators — even when they may disagree.”

Rumor is, the chancellor position will be announced today.

 

The choice will tell us a bit about which way de Blasio intends to take the school system.