If I were the new NYC Education Chancellor, I would . . .

[abelisle]

As some of you might know, Joel Klein is out and Janet Black is in. Neither had/have any education background and use business models to run the education system. Testing is paramount and the ideal is to provide students with the skills necessary to make them better workers.

Whatever you feel about this as a philosophy for education is secondary to improving the education for the students from the lowest socioeconomic levels/classes.

Needless to say many teachers and parents aren't too happy with this choice but Mayor Bloomberg (a billionaire) is in charge and he feels that the market model can work for changing the lives of young people as well as it can make more money for him.

Most of the problems in inner city schools are realted to discipline, here are some of my suggestions:

1)Students who break the disciplinary code (created by each individual school) are immediately suspended and transportation cards are invalidated.

2) After 3 occurrences, welfare payments for the family are suspended. Most HS students are smart enough to realize that this isn't all about them and when others are affected, maybe they will think twice?

3) Parents are mandated to attend weekly parenting seminars.

4) Local churches are "encouraged" to speak more about the importance of education and given public monies to create after school learning/community centers. The church can serve as a surrogate parent/family for latchkey students. (no one home after school)

5)Install video cameras in all rooms for the safety of students, teachers and the ability to monitor the quality of teaching.

6) Foods served in school cafeterias and in vending machines are as healthy as possible.

7) Safe corridors to and from schools in gang areas are monitored by local police.

8) Classes in ethics and parenting are added to the curriculum.

9) If possible, salaries are raised to attract the brightest talent coming out of our colleges. (if the discipline issues are contained and improved, there will be more incentive to teach)

10) Work/study programs for seniors with guaranteed jobs are provided using funding from big business (it behooves them to help themselves, right?)

Feel free to add to, criticize, amend, deconstruct or simply ignore

Alex