Mayor Bloomberg was thrilled yesterday that President Obama’s education czar strongly backed keeping control of city public schools in Hizzoner’s hands.
“The professionals say we’re going in the right direction. I think that’s what really should sway Albany,” Bloomberg said, referring to support from US Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who called for continuation of mayoral control in yesterday’s Post, citing “real progress” in Big Apple classrooms.
The school governance law the state Legislature approved, giving the mayor direct authority to run the schools, expires June 30. And some critics — including the teachers union — want to loosen the mayor’s control over education policy.
Bloomberg said he was hopeful that Duncan’s comments would convince legislators to do the right thing.
“But the main thing that should have impact in Albany are the results. Graduation rates continue to go up. Tests scores continue to go up. Crime continues to come down. Our teachers are now paid 43 percent more than they were paid before we had mayoral control,” the mayor said.
“So you’d think the teachers would be happy and they’d have the opportunity to teach in a better school system. We’re flooded by people who want to come here and teach,” he added.
Duncan — who was superintendent of the Chicago school system under the direct control of Mayor Richard Daley — told The Post he’s “absolutely a proponent” of having public education run out of City Hall.
He said mayoral control provides more accountability, stability and flexibility to implement reform.
Duncan — citing improved test scores and graduation rates, more school choice and curbing social promotion — said of Bloomberg and Klein, “They’ve made very significant strides in the right direction. To go in a different direction wouldn’t make sense.”
United Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten sought to downplay Duncan’s comments.
“Mayoral control of schools in Chicago is different from mayoral control in New York City, and I’m sure Arne Duncan did not intend to immerse himself into the Legislature’s debate over the nuances of school governance here,” Weingarten said.
Klein said Duncan’s endorsement of mayoral control was a crucial stamp of approval from the nation’s top educator.
“He knows personally the challenges facing urban school districts and the need for the kind of bold leadership that Mayor Bloomberg has demonstrated,” the chancellor said.