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Speaking of teacher quality, here's an important email for New Yorkers from Michelle Rhee – please take a moment to sign the online letter:

With massive state budget gaps looming, teacher layoffs are imminent.  In New York City alone, 5,000 teachers are at risk of being laid off this year and under current policy, many of these will be the city's most effective teachers.

Last week, the New York Senate passed legislation to put an end to the harmful "last in, first out" (LIFO) policy which mandates that the last teachers hired are the first teachers fired, regardless of performance.  However, Governor Cuomo has introduced a new education bill that leaves LIFO laws untouched. This is unacceptable.

In a letter to Governor Cuomo, I urge him to eliminate seniority-based layoffs immediately. Here's an excerpt:

"... 85 percent of New Yorkers support ending last in, first out policies. New York students are relying on you to support ending last in, first out this year.  This policy makes absolutely no sense.  Why gamble on our children's future, when we can quickly enact laws that guarantee we save great teachers?"

Please show your support by signing my letter and forwarding it to your friends.

Click here: http://www.studentsfirst.org/page/s/Sign_Letter_to_Cuomo

Thank you for your support as we work together to make sure that New York laws put students first.

Sincerely,

Michelle

Michelle Rhee
CEO and Founder, StudentsFirst