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Science of Reading. Science of Learning. Science of Math, even. Lately, it seems the intersection of education and neuroscience is even more obvious as we reflect on and  re-evaluate our relationships, our curriculums, even our pedagogies, to ensure we are doing the best we can for our students. tells us the process of learning literally changes the composition of the brain. But it’s harder to learn under duress.

Posted with the permission of the author, Arthur Goldstein. Originally posted on Arthur’s blog: http://nyceducator.com/2023/03/mike-mulgrew-writes-letter-to-retirees.html Mulgrew wrote to retirees today about the Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan. Or Mulgrew and Tom Murphy did. Or someone did, and put Murphy and Mulgrew’s names on top.* It has been a long road of intense, hard-fought negotiations. This is largely due to you goddamn retirees dragging our asses to court all the time.

Chancellor Banks to teachers in 300 schools:  “I know you’ve worked hard for years, dedicated, caring; however, you’re responsible for children not learning to read, balanced literacy doesn’t work, we’re switching to phonics, we’ll provide professional development as soon as we figure it out.”  The Chancellor has decided to rekindle the Reading Wars.

Posted with the permission of the author, Arthur Goldstein. Originally posted on Arthur’s blog: http://nyceducator.com/2023/02/retiree-health-care-nuclear-option.html It's been clear for some time that UFT leadership, along with MLC, will not accept defeat. Michael Mulgrew's Unity Caucus is always right, and always knows best. Anyone who disagrees is a galoot, a nuisance, a simple-minded contrarian. So when an army of retirees united and took them to court, they were wrong.

Surprise, surprise – it’s not looking good for the UFT’s next contract. In an exploitative misuse of pattern bargaining, Adams set up DC37 to vote in sub-inflation wage increases that other municipal unions will be ‘stuck with.’ But, rumor had it that DC37 rank-and-file were overwhelmingly happy about the deal. Many of them were expecting less than the 3% pittance being sold as a win.

The following newsletter is published with permission from New Action. The Wire’s Union Talk section is committed to sharing the work, ideas, and viewpoints of our individual union members, groups, and caucuses within our educator union. Dear UFT Member, The New Action UFT caucus, as a member of the United for Change coalition (UFC), would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support in last spring’s UFT election.

The UFT in 2023 is confusing if nothing else. I can't understand why an organization that usually encourages as little involvement from its members in confronting management is now suddenly promoting contract teach-ins for Monday, January 30. NYC Educator is not excited. Is he right? His conclusion: As a 28-year dissident in this Union, I agree wholeheartedly with those sentiments. NYC Educator uses the recent retiree healthcare debacle to support his case that UFT leaders don't want to hear from us.

Jan 14 • 1HR 0M Leonie interviewed three members of the Panel for Educational Policy, the NYC school board, about controversial proposals to co-locate five Success Academy charter schools with existing public schools Open in playerListen on ); Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. A weekly podcast and radio show on WBAI 99.5 FM NYC, hosted by Leonie Haimson of Class Size Matters, and Daniel Alicea of Educators of NYC.

Posted with the permission of the author, Arthur Goldstein. Originally posted as an op-ed in The New York Daily News. There was a joke in the movie “Sleeper” about how UFT President Albert Shanker started World War III. Our current union president, Michael Mulgrew, won’t be starting any wars. In fact, Mulgrew is now battling to have the city pay less toward our health care. What’s next? A strike for more work and less pay? Union can be a powerful thing. It empowers working people.

Jan 1 • 58M Leonie and Daniel interviewed Diane Ravitch for her views on the best and worst events that occurred in public education over the past year; activists & leaders share their reflections & hopes, also. Open in playerListen on ); Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. A weekly podcast and radio show on WBAI 99.5 FM NYC, hosted by Leonie Haimson of Class Size Matters, and Daniel Alicea of Educators of NYC.