New state commissioner of education
The Board of Regents elected Dr. David Steiner as New York state education commissioner and president of the University of the State of New York. According to the state education department’s press release, Steiner, current dean of the Hunter College School of Education, is “best known for his leadership of the national effort to transform teacher preparation and improve teacher quality.” The New York Post reported this morning that Steiner supports merit pay and higher wages for teachers.
The previous state education commissioner, Richard Mills, announced in November that he was retiring after 14 years on the job. His tenure was marked by an increased emphasis on standardized test scores and tougher high school graduation requirements.
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