Join the fun, copy, paste, edit and send this or a similar letter to: Speaker Heastie, your state Senator, and your Assemblyman or woman...
Carl E. Heastie
Speaker New York State Assembly
LOB 932
Albany, NY 12248
Find your Senator http://www.nysenate.gov/senators
Find your Assembly Person http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/search/
Dear (Legislator)
Welcome to our world! Governor Cuomo, who refuses to release the school budget runs, is now also blaming you and your colleagues for failing schools. It seems that you legislators share responsibility with teachers for the fact that inappropriate tests, whose 'passing grades' are determined after scores have been reviewed and manipulated, are being used as the sole criteria for educational success. You all know the phrase, "lies, damned lies, and statistics," well these tests are certainly evidence of that.
Additionally, it seems as if the governor thinks that you are as unethical as teachers are. We obviously manipulated our evaluation scores somehow, even though he made sure all the plans had to be reviewed by state ed. He says he will hold up the budget if you don't pass his ethics reform, yet he shut down the Moreland Commission as soon as it seemed to glance in his direction.
Personally, I am glad to be in the august company of the NYS Legislature, and I thank you for all you do for your constituents. Since Governor Cuomo seems to think so poorly of teachers and legislators, I am asking that you hold firm against his educational agenda. Do not acquiesce to blackmail. Refuse to tie school aid to rapid, poorly thought out education reform. Pass adequate school aid. Override any veto. Then work with education professionals to find away to combat the negative effects of poverty on education and reform the way our children are assessed as being successful. We will support your fight against the dictatorial ways of the governor, because we know you support the most important people in this battle, our students.
Sincerely,
No comments:
Post a Comment