The New York Post’s recent investigation uncovering a widespread grade-fixing scandal in New York City schools is deeply troubling. The findings unearthed an abysmal failure within the system — one that threatens the value of the very education that’s being provided to our kids.
The Post did New Yorkers a tremendous service by exposing these misdeeds, and now they must be immediately corrected. As a result of what occurred, everyone — from Mayor Bill de Blasio to Chancellor Carmen Fariña, right on down the line — must be held accountable.
Dishonesty of this kind rewards failure, punishes honest students, hurts good teachers, disillusions parents and diminishes the diploma. We simply cannot tolerate it.
I am and always have been a strong supporter of mayoral control as the most appropriate way to manage the city’s schools. As the former chairman of the Senate’s Education Committee, and now the chamber’s majority leader, I believe it’s wise to have the buck stop with one person whom New Yorkers recognize, know and can hold accountable.
The state Legislature gave then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg control in 2002 and extended it seven years later, and this year de Blasio called on us to make mayoral control permanent.
Instead, we authorized a one-year extension in order to thoroughly review mayoral control under this administration.
The grade-fixing scandal, along with the earlier attacks on charter schools, show exactly why we took such a cautious approach to mayoral control. Plus, 77 percent of New York City public high school graduates who entered CUNY community colleges needed remediation in math, reading or writing. That’s a real eye-opener.
Earlier this year, I tried repeatedly to get the mayor to attend a public hearing to outline his vision for education and explain to us in very specific detail his plan to improve and strengthen the New York City school system. The mayor declined.
De Blasio offered to make Fariña available for an hour to discuss this issue. Given what’s at stake, one hour is simply unacceptable.
Every student should have the same opportunity to succeed and get ahead, but given what we know now about the state of the school system, from conversations with school officials, parents and through detailed media reports, I have serious doubts about whether that mission is being fulfilled.
There are still unanswered questions about de Blasio’s plan to fix New York City’s 91 failing schools and the city’s commitment — both financial and otherwise — to the students who attend those schools.
Before we move forward, the mayor and chancellor must agree to hearings so we can examine this grade-fixing scandal and mayoral control, and ensure the $9 billion provided by the state to New York City schools is being spent properly and fairly. In addition, real reforms must be enacted before mayoral control can be extended any further.
I’m passionate about education. I believe it’s the primary responsibility of government.
Why shouldn’t it be? Today’s schools are producing tomorrow’s leaders in business, education, government and each of our communities, and we need to ensure every school district and every teacher is doing their absolute best, and that the students they’re responsible for are college- and career-ready.
It was once said that “tragedy is the difference between what is and what might have been.” I think we can all agree that it would be a real tragedy to condemn a generation of students to lesser futures than they deserve because we didn’t reach higher and do more on their behalf. Those really are the stakes.
Mayoral control for New York City? Yes.
Mayoral control at any cost? No.
Let’s roll up our sleeves and do it right.
John J. Flanagan is the New York state Senate majority leader.