Joe Lhota's Education Speech
Rep. mayoral candidate Joe Lhota gave a GREAT ed speech on June 20th – here is an excerpt:
Let me address school closures.
The only reason why a school closes is because it is not properly educating children. That school is failing our children.
To keep a failing school open is immoral.
This does not mean that a failing school building should remain closed. The school building should never close. Instead the school within should be immediately reconstituted with a better curriculum, better teachers, and a better principal. No building will be left fallow when I am mayor. No school building, or space within a school building, will go unused.
Understand this: I will not put a moratorium on school closures.
I am also a big believer in Charter Public Schools.
Over a decade ago, there were only 14 Charter Public Schools in New York City. Today, there are over 150 servicing 48,000 students. That’s a remarkable achievement.
I believe that Charter Public Schools are successful and they have the potential of improving the education of every single student. Parents want and deserve choices for their children. I will provide parents with choice, more choice.
I will call for legislation expanding the number and scope of Charter Public Schools. At a minimum, the number needs to double.
Parents want Charter Public Schools. The wait list is endless.
A recent Zogby poll found that 86% of respondents want more options when choosing schools for their children. Among African-American parents, the number rises to over 90%.
It is disgraceful that kids cannot attend a school of their parent’s choosing.
New York City can do better.
We need to make space available for Charter Public Schools - - whether it is through continued co-location, or finding space in closing Catholic schools.
Parents need choice, children need choice, and teachers need choice.
Opposition to Charter Public Schools is insulting to educational advancement.
The only reason why a school closes is because it is not properly educating children. That school is failing our children.
To keep a failing school open is immoral.
This does not mean that a failing school building should remain closed. The school building should never close. Instead the school within should be immediately reconstituted with a better curriculum, better teachers, and a better principal. No building will be left fallow when I am mayor. No school building, or space within a school building, will go unused.
Understand this: I will not put a moratorium on school closures.
I am also a big believer in Charter Public Schools.
Over a decade ago, there were only 14 Charter Public Schools in New York City. Today, there are over 150 servicing 48,000 students. That’s a remarkable achievement.
I believe that Charter Public Schools are successful and they have the potential of improving the education of every single student. Parents want and deserve choices for their children. I will provide parents with choice, more choice.
I will call for legislation expanding the number and scope of Charter Public Schools. At a minimum, the number needs to double.
Parents want Charter Public Schools. The wait list is endless.
A recent Zogby poll found that 86% of respondents want more options when choosing schools for their children. Among African-American parents, the number rises to over 90%.
It is disgraceful that kids cannot attend a school of their parent’s choosing.
New York City can do better.
We need to make space available for Charter Public Schools - - whether it is through continued co-location, or finding space in closing Catholic schools.
Parents need choice, children need choice, and teachers need choice.
Opposition to Charter Public Schools is insulting to educational advancement.
I spent an hour with Joe a couple of months ago and was very impressed. A friend forwarded me this appeal to support him:
In NYC if anyone with a city address/home writes up to a $175 check, magnanimous NYC matches that donation 6 times – yes, 6 times. To Joe and his mayoral efforts that is REAL money….
If after reading the attached speech you would like to support Joe, please go here.
posted by Whitney Tilson at 1:07 PM
<< Home