By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-875823.mp3
Albany, NY – The New York State Education Commissioner conducted a briefing for the media in Albany concerning the Board of Regents reform agenda. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas attended the briefing.
New York's Regents new plan to improve public school performance would include doubling the cap of 200 charter schools allowed in the state and linking test results to teacher compensation. Also on the table: requirements for the state to qualify for as much as $700 million in federal Race to the Top funding, a new program to encourage school reform. New York's new Education Commissioner David Steiner says the current system leaves too many students ill prepared for college and the modern work force.
In the past lobbyists, the Legislature and New York's powerful teachers union have beaten back initiatives to raise the number of charter schools... Commissioner Steiner hopes this time the outcome will be more favorable.
Steiner feels the status quo is "deeply unacceptable" and hopes to keep New York State's educational standards high - The Board of Regents December meeting continues in Albany on Tuesday.