Brownsville Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, who along with Charles Barron and N. Nick Perry, were the only Brooklyn assembly members to vote against giving mayoral control to the city schools, announced yesterday she was proud to help pass both education reforms, and funding for nonpublic schools
The education piece of the legislation (A8323) was part of the “big ugly” bill that Albany lawmakers passed that included a host of other measures including rent control renewal regulations and the 421a tax abatement for developers
“We’ve heard parents and teachers loud and clear – it’s time to get the focus back on learning rather than testing,” said Walker. “That’s why we’re making changes to our education system that will help our kids get the most out of their time in the classroom.”
Walker said the bill will help teachers better prepare students for certain standardized exams. The State Education Department will now be able to release significantly more past test questions and answers. Also, teachers, principals and superintendents will no longer be required to enter into confidentiality agreements preventing them from discussing the contents of these exams after the exams have been publicly released, she said.
The Assembly’s legislation would also improve teacher evaluations and student assessments by:
- creating a content review committee to review standardized tests in grades 3 through 8 in English language arts and math to ensure these tests are fair, accurate and appropriate for each grade level; and
- taking into account factors such as poverty, English Language Learner (ELL) status, students with disabilities and prior academic history when measuring student growth under the new teacher evaluation system.
Walker said she also strongly supports the $250 million given to reimburse private and parochial schools for the costs of performing mandated services, and to increase the cap to 50 on charter schools in the city.
“In my district, all schools – public, private and charter schools – play a role in expanding educational choices for our families. We need to do all we can to make sure schools have the support they need to help our children get an outstanding education,” said Walker.
