Tony Avella on charter schools, Joel Klein, and teaching to the test

At the Working Families Party debate: July 2, 2009



On charter schools:I am absolutely not a fan of charter schools and I never have been. The whole reason they came about was because the regular public schools were failing...Why not fix the schools that are failing."

"It would be my pleasure to say to Joel Klein, you are fired! And don't let the door hit you on the way out. And the new board is a disgrace....Why are we not listening to teachers and principals and parents? We have to stop teaching to the test."