Schenectady, N.Y. (April 26, 1999) – New York State per pupil expenditures are the second highest in the nation, but achievement scores still rank below the U.S. average. New York has responded with changes in educational standards and with legislation to allow charter schools. Will that be enough?
On Thursday, May 6, from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Nott Memorial, a panel will meet to discuss “Education in New York State: What Really Needs Reform?” The discussion will be taped for broadcast on New York State public television beginning in June.
Seating is reserved. For information and reservations, call 388-6238.
Panelists will include state and local school officials, teachers, school reform advocates, union leaders and representatives of academia. (See complete list below.) Moderator will be Ed Dague, anchor of NewsChannel 13, the area NBC affiliate.
Among the questions to be discussed:
Are the real educational problems within New York restricted to inner city schools?
How can the New York Department of Education maintain achievement standards?
Are proposed changes in teacher education and certification adequate?
Are charter schools an invigorating force or a diversion of limited resources?
Panelists are:
Dale Ballou, professor of economics, University of Massachusetts, whose research has focused on regulation and incentives of education reform, particularly as they affect training, recruitment, retention and compensation of teachers.
Eleanor Bartlett, Regent, State of New York, was elected to her post in March, after serving 27 years in Albany city schools as special education teacher, principal, interim and deputy superintendent.
John J. Faso, Republican minority leader of the state Assembly, has sponsored Charter School legislation and supported funding of abstinence-based education programs.
Sy Fliegel, President, Center for Educational Innovation, was director of alternative education for Community School District Four in Queens, where he began the transformation of New York City public schools that he describes in his book, Miracle in East Harlem.
Gail Foster, executive director, Toussaint Institute, known as a resource for parents trying to find a school to match their child and for educators interested in Charter Schools and other trends.
Lewis Golub, chairman, New York State Business Council, serves on college and community boards, and is CEO of Golub Corp., parent company of Price Chopper Supermarkets.
Clifford Janey, superintendent, Rochester City Schools, whose performance benchmarks and community partnerships have set a national standard.
Richard P. Mills, commissioner, state Education Department, serves as CEO of the board of regents, which oversees the most comprehensive state educational system in the nation.
Terry Weiner, professor of political science and sociology at Union College, has done extensive research on problems disabled children face in public schools. He has served nine years, including president, of the Niskayuna School Board, and was a founder of Union's MAT program.
Randi Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers which represents more than 130,000 educators in New York City public schools, and has taken a lead role in contract negotiations for teachers.