Frustrated abouttest scoresor your school's Progress Report? Do you wish your child's class was smaller?

Parent activists and education advocacy organizations are organizing for change this fall. The "Save our Schools Coalition", led by the Coalition for Educational Justice and other advocacy groups are circulating a petitionasking the Department of Education to:

  • "Provide intensive interventions for all students who scored in Levels 1 and 2, including those now in high school.

  • Suspend for one year all high-stakes policy decisions that are based on standardized test scores and establish a revised accountability system based on reliable multiple measures.

  • Provide comprehensive support and guidance to the city’s most struggling schools."<!--more-->

Class Size Matters is seeking an end to the siting of charter schools in district public school buildings. The group is circulating a petitionasking charter school authorizers not to approve charter schools that take space away from other public schools. The letter states, "school overcrowding is at crisis levels and is worsening each year," with schools losing art and science rooms, and "special needs students receiving their services in hallways and in closets."

Looking for other ways to learn about the issues and  hear what DOE officials have to say?

  • Attend tonight's Panel for Educational Policy meeting. Members will be voting on new rules regarding building utilization and schools sharing space.
  • Meet Chancellor Klein at theOctober 13 District 15 Community Education Council meeting, or attend a CEC meeting in your district.

Check our Insideschools calendar for more activities and ways to stay informed and get involved. And feel free to post events of interest to parents!