I don't think I've ever written these words, but kudos to the teachers union for allowing this to go forward (and of course kudos to Klein as well).  One of the most insane, destructive elements of the teachers contract is the inability to pay any teachers more than any others (mainly those willing to teach in the toughest schools, and those who teach in areas where there are shortages like math, science and special ed).  This program, while technically structured as a housing subsidy, is in effect simply paying certain teachers more.  Breaking this previously-untouchable logjam in the biggest school system in the country is a HUGE step forward.

 

-----------------------

April 19, 2006

New York Offers Housing Subsidy as Teacher Lure

By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/19/nyregion/19teach.html?ei=5094&en=1088b64062e1813d&hp=&ex=1145419200&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print

New York City will offer housing subsidies of up to $14,600 to entice new math, science and special education teachers to work in the city's most challenging schools, in one of the most aggressive housing incentive programs in the nation to address a chronic shortage of qualified educators in these specialties.

To be eligible for the subsidies, teachers must have at least two years' experience. City officials said they hoped the program, to be announced by the city Education Department today, would immediately lead to the hiring of an extra 100 teachers for September and, with other recruitment efforts, ultimately help fill as many as 600 positions now held by teachers without the proper credentials...