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New York Ponders How to Spend $700 Million in Federal Money for Schools

By Gabe Pressman
NBCNewYork.com
updated 8/25/2010 7:46:56 PM ET

New York has just won nearly $700 million for school -- from the federal "Race to the Top" funds.
But before we break out the champagne and celebrate, lets consider some of the questions raised by this generous gift from Washington.
It is by no means certain how the money will be spent. Mayor Bloomberg and education officials prodded the State Legislature to make certain education policy changes to qualify for the funds. Among the tweaks: increasing the number of charter schools and evaluation of teachers based on standardized test scores.
As we have reported, the validity of test scores has been challenged in recent months. There are allegations, not disproved, that some teachers simply teach to the tests, that many children are being trained to pass tests but that basic education is lacking. And there is a big discrepancy between state test numbers and standard federal test scores.
New Yorks scores had been inflated for years and, this year, finally, state officials said it was time to correct the false numbers. In 2009, 77 percent of students met or surpassed standards in English and 86 percent in math. Now, after Albanys drastic action, were down to 53 percent passing in English and 61percent in math. How this disturbing situation was allowed to develop has yet to be explained -- but the important thing now is to establish a reliable and honest system for creating and scoring tests.
There is also heated debate over the effectiveness of charter schools: Proponents tout wonderful results. Detractors fervently insist that public schools are just as good.
Meanwhile, a just released poll shows that President Obamas educational program is losing support among Americans. The survey, by Gallup and Phi Delta Kappa International, finds that just 34 % would give Obama an A or B on his education policies, compared with 45% last year...................>>>>.....................>>>>................http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38857398#

Buy some union votes.....WTF else do we do in NYS.......