Friday, May 18, 2007

Joel Gives Quick Ax to Principals

May 18, 2007 (GBN News): In what was termed a “warning shot across the bow”, NY City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein announced today the firing of 48 “empowerment” school principals. The Chancellor cited their schools’ “inadequate progress” in the two days since they opted to join the “empowerment zone” and trade increased funding and autonomy for more accountability.

Mr. Klein stated that the firings are intended to show that the Department of Education is serious about holding principals accountable for their schools’ progress. He criticized what he called the “culture of complacency”, and noted that the fired principals represented the bottom ten percent of the empowerment schools. “If these principals think they can rest on their laurels for even a day, they are sadly mistaken,” the Chancellor said, “and I think we were generous in giving them two days.” He went on to say that ninety percent of the principals were not in the bottom ten percent, thus proving that the new system is an overwhelming success.

In other news, Mayor Bloomberg is said to be on the verge of deciding who will not be his running mate in the presidential campaign that he has no intention of entering.

4 comments:

Leonie Haimson said...

This is hilarious as usual -- and all too realistic.

The problem is that all principals are now subject to being fired on the basis of their school grades/ which is 85% test scores -- not just the empowerment zone ones.

Gary Babad said...

I guess the Chancellor decided to make an example of the empowerment principals first. It's always good to reward initiative!

Leonie Haimson said...

That's a good point! Who is that guy whose picture is featured, though? Is he an empowerment principal?

Gary Babad said...

Used to be. Now, just a victim of another DOE "hatchet job".