The self-appointed “lobbyist” for New York’s students — i.e., Gov. Cuomo — went to bat for them yesterday, and the upshot could well be meaningful school reform down the road.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Railing that “government has failed,” Cuomo announced the formation of a 20-member panel with a singular task: Save New York’s schools.
OK, forming a committee rarely signifies bold action. But Cuomo brings a record of accomplishment to the table; surely no one doubts the existence of a strong presence in New York’s top office.
Besides, in proper hands, a commission can be a useful political tool.
But it’s good to see the gov inserting himself in the muddle; New Yorkers will now hold him to his promise to fix public education throughout the state.
And it’s no secret: It needs fixing.
As Cuomo has noted, New York spends more on education than any other state but ranks 38th in graduation rates. And many of the kids who do walk off with diplomas are barely ready: A measly 37 percent are considered college- or career-ready.
Back in January, Cuomo explained why Albany hasn’t fixed the problem: Everyone involved in education has a lobbyist — from superintendents and school boards to janitors and bus drivers. The only ones without a voice, he said, were the kids.
That was to change: He’d be their lobbyist. And the commission may be his first major attempt to make good on that vow.
To that end, the panel will tackle looming challenges, like recruiting and keeping the best teachers, deploying technology in the classroom and engaging parents more deeply in their kids’ education.
It’ll also investigate why so many “education” dollars get burned before they come within a mile of a classroom and end up covering bloated overhead and generous teacher benefits instead.
Real reform in the schools, of course, is an uphill battle, given the formidable forces with vested interests — in the teachers unions and throughout the education cartel — arrayed against change.
Indeed, there may well be pushback from some of the members of the new panel itself; they include state officials, education innovators and even some status-quo-loving educrats.
One good sign is that CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein has agreed to serve on the commission; if someone of his stature and credibility is on board, we’re far more inclined to take it seriously.
In any case, the next steps are up to the panel, which is to report back with an “action plan” by Dec. 1.
Wish it well.
But, ultimately, it’s Cuomo’s political neck on the line.