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When the school year ended Thursday, the city teachers’ union released a poll that found that a majority of 61,000 polled teachers do not think that the Schools Chancellor is an effective manager.The United Federation of Teacher's poll says the majority of responders felt Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and the Department of Education are not focusing on developing the whole child, and provide little support in the classroom.
"Ultimately, what our educators are saying to the chancellor is we are going to do the work we have to do but please help us a little bit, respect us, give us the resources we need," said UFT President Randi Weingarten.
In his annual press sit-down conference Thursday, Klein said he could look back on the school year with satisfaction.
"To quote Frank Sinatra, it's been a very good year," said Klein, who said he gave himself an “A” for effort. He said the city's school system had bold changes, including a new accountability system for the department and report cards for schools.
With much controversy, Klein restructured 16 schools that failed evaluation and overhauled pre-kindergarten programs that left out too many students. The chancellor also dealt with the fallout from mid-year budget cuts.
Klein began Thursday at the first-ever graduation for the Bronx Lab School, one of the small high schools put in the former Evander Childs building in the Bronx.
The 100 graduates and their families were excited and optimistic.
"I think I got the best public education I could find in any place," said student Shqipnije Bytyqi.
A proud father of another graduate said Klein deserves credit for putting better schools into the Evander building.
"I commend Commissioner Klein for building new schools in the areas that actually need new schools,” said parent Dorrian Warren Malloy. “And with the quality of teachers that have come on board."
While the legacy of Klein’s reforms and the mayor’s choice to appoint Klein are still undetermined, Klein was assured of the DOE’s future.
"What innovation is about, it drives success, wherever it is," said Klein. “It's children first in the city of New York."
