Submitted by Edward Lawrenece, Feb 7, 2007 12:16

I was amused by the schools chancellor Joel Klein 's latest diatribe about how he is going to fix a system not working after he has been in charge for 5 years. . His latest "reforms" . seem designed specifically to relieve HIM of any and all accountability. He has been Chancellor for 5 years and the school system is no better off than when he started.: The State disputes the City's graduation rate as inflated by 15% , the Middle Schools have been labled as failing etc...) Where is HIS accountability? He asks to be granted the authority to grant charters but has never run a school himself. In fact, he had to ask for a waiver for the position of Chancellor because he does not meet the qualifications for the position. What qualifies him to deternine whi sfit to run a school? The present chrater process is quite sufficient allowing only true educational entities, SUNY and the Board of Regents to grant charters. Klein's management of the City Schools is mired in controversy over the mass use of no bid contracts, the most notorious one of which resulted in thousands of children being left out on the street with no bus while the consultants he hired flew first class and rode in limosines. These same consultants recommended extensive service cuts and giving 5 year olds metrocards. The company in question was vouched for by his administration as "uniquely qualified" even though they had left the St. Louis Mo. School District bankrupt. His mad rush to privatization has repeatedly resulted in the hiring of unqualified consultants, often with no background in education, making decisions that put our children in danger. School management should be left to those with State Certification in that field which is earned by obtaing a Master's Degree in Education Administration with the required internship. On the job training for school supervisors has proven to be too dangerous for our kids. Most of the jobs the Chancellor has reclassified in this next reorganization do not require state certification in Education Administion and/or a background in working with children. His concern plain and simple is data. Our kids are more than a number or any compilation of numbers that result in the data he will use to rate schools.

Let's look at the facts: Tim Johnson, the Chairman of the Chancellor's Parent Adviory Board has said he "has lost confidence in the Chancellor's ability to run the schools,", State Sen. John Sabini has lambasted Klein for "conducting all of the Department of Education's business in secret and never sharing information with other elected officials so they can service their constituents", State Sen. Ruben Diaz has "calls for the Chancellor's resignation", the UFT has said his "fair funding" plan will "discourage principals from hiring and retaining well - qualified, senior teachers", and the Principals who he claims to support have been locked in battle with him for a contract for 4 years. Can the parents, teachers, administartors, and elected officials all be wrong? I doubt it.

If this is leadership and accountability- God help us.

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