Submitted by Richard Skibins, Jul 28, 2007 10:53

Mayoral control has been a failure. The DOE has undergone three organizational changes because each change has failed. Test scores are flat when you factor in the students illegally exempted from tests. The tests have also been simplified, yet the scores are still flat.

Mayoral control has been primarily used as a tool to destroy the UFT. Senior teachers have been harassed and brought up on trumped-up charges. These senior teachers are forced out of the profession so that the DOE can hire young Teaching Fellows (Fail in your career, become a teacher) for half the salary.

Mayoral control has also brought upon us the Jack Welch inspired Leadership Academy. Those who never taught can now be a principal. Students are thought of a assembly line products, and teachers are bullied and harassed in front of colleagues and students alike.

Dubious reading and writing curriculums shortchange our students. We are also saddleds with the horrible "Everyday Math" curriculum, rejected by systems throughout the country. Teachers who stray one drop from the heavily micromanaged curriculi face harsh disciplinary action.

We must allow mayoral control to fade in the sunset.

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