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Reports that New York City teachers protested mandates that had restricted their ability to teach. Complaints of micromanagement since Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg began overhauling the system and adopted uniform reading and math programs; Complaints against Reyes Irizarry, a regional superintendent who oversees schools in Queens and Brooklyn.

Reports on two separate cases of high school employees who were seen engaging in consensual sexual activity with 18-year old students in Manhattan, New York City. Plan of city education officials to dismiss the employees; Decision of school officials not to file criminal charges against Fernando Salvador and Eugene Teague because the acts were consensual and the students were not minors; Accounts of how the sexual relationships were discovered.

Reports that aides to New York City council speaker Gifford Miller have drafted a plan to challenge mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's education policies collectively called Children First. Claim that Bloomberg's opponents are focusing on his handling of the school system because of his strong record on issues of crime and economy; Suggestion that Miller's attacks is expected to focus on how Bloomberg has managed the schools with a heavy hand and how his reform efforts have destabilized the system.

Reports on the criticism of author and historian Diane Ravitch on New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's education policies. Ravitch's opinion on Bloomberg's choice of curriculum and his administrative structure; Ravitch's belief that public discourse and community input have been stifled and that veteran teachers are micromanage and are retiring in droves.

Reports on the formation of an association by leaders of parent councils to prevent the marginalization of the group’s goals by the administration of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Belief by the group of the increase of their credibility in running the public school system using a centralized approach; Priority of the group to share information and establish a positive relationship with the city’s Department of Education; Complaint by council members of their denial to school access, prohibition to distribute surveys, access to budgets and disregard of its presence; Decision of the councils to disallow the continuation of the Board of Education’s dictatorship.

Reports on the negotiations between New York City government and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) to settle a lawsuit over how the state finances the city's public schools. Suggestion that the biggest points of contention was the city's desire to pay a one-time cash bonus in the first year instead of a percentage raise; Claim that by tying the contract to a court settlement the UFT members are guaranteed of raises in their base pay.

Reports that New York City will expand a partnership with the nonprofit organization, the Robin Hood Foundation, to rebuild elementary school libraries in the area. Features of the partnership program.

Reports that some high schools in New York City are complaining that severe budget reductions have forced them to cut instructional and extracurricular programs. Description of how budget cuts are directly affecting children and the classroom; Elimination of some elective courses; Reductions in laboratory sessions for science classes.

Reports on the opening day of the 2004-2005 year for public schools in New York City. Number of students and new schools; Presence of mayor Michael Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein at the historically dangerous Thomas Jefferson High School; General orderliness of the opening day; Confusion and anger among parents and children in long lines at enrollment centers.

Reports that the United Federation of Teachers, the union representing New York City public school teachers, has made progress in contract talks with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

Reports on the findings of a study that a special school district under the direct control the New York City schools chancellor called Chancellor's District has made substantial improvement in some of the city's worst schools. Gains in reading scores; History of the Chancellor's District.

Reports on changes at City Hall Academy in New York City. Lessons given in the academy.

Reports on the percentage of fourth graders in New York City who passed the State English Language Arts test.

The author reports on changes which have occurred regarding the public school system in New York City during the 2008-2009 school year. The author states that individual principals have been given the power to run their schools without interference from the city. Additional changes which have occurred regarding the way in which the city's schools are run since New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg took office in 2002 are mentioned.

The article focuses on the Beginning With Children Charter School in Brookyn, New York City. The school has been cited as one of New York state's better public schools thanks to rising test scores by its African-American and Hispanic students. But its founders and patrons, Joseph and Carol Reich, seeking further improvement, have used their financial influence to force the schools' board of trustees to resign. Parents and teachers say they are being left out of school policy decisions.

This article discusses the 2007-2008 budget for New York City public schools. Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein released the budget in May of 2007, and a new financing system will give more money to schools serving low-achieving students and students from low-income families. Increased money will also be given to schools that teach students who have a limited grasp of the English language.

This article reports on an agreement between New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the union representing the New York City school principals. The deal would increase base pay by 23 percent and add 15 minutes to the workday. The contract also offers bonuses of up to $25,000 a year to select principals who agree to spend three years in troubled schools and institutes a different performance evaluation tool.

This article discusses public schools in New York City during March of 2007. New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg issued a plan to give public school principals more autonomy during 2007, and his plan was highly criticized by the New York City Council. The City Council spent two hours in March of 2007 questioning Eric Nadelstern, chief executive of the school system's empowerment initiative.

This article discusses school choice in New York City. New York City plans to open more than 200 small, theme-based secondary schools by September of 2007, and article discusses children who are attempting to gain entrance to these schools. The article notes that the admission entrance to these schools can often be stressful and confusing for children.

This article discusses school busing in New York City during February of 2006. The article notes that the city's school bus routes changed during February of 2006, causing confusion among parents. New York City Mayor Michael A. Bloomberg called a press conference in defense of the bus route changes, apologizing for any inconvenience the changes may have caused.

This article discusses school busing in New York City during February of 2007. The article notes that New York City officials have consolidated of school bus routes in order to save money, but the plan has been highly criticized by New York City parents. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended the move.

This article discusses school principals in New York City during January of 2007. The article notes that some schoolteachers are actually earning more money than their school principals or assistant principals that supervise them, due to teachers union contracts and tenure. New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has promised to give school principals an increased role in the school system hierarchy, though it remains to be seen whether this will lead to wage increases.

This article discusses New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's January 2007 announcement that he wants to revamp New York City's school system. The article states that Bloomberg's plan would place enormous pressure on school principals to raise student achievement, while also initializing rating systems for schools and teachers.

The article discusses a ruling passed down from New York State's highest court regarding educational spending in New York City. The case, which concerns the amount of money the New York City public school system must spend to insure students a sound basic education, was brought by a coalition of educational groups called the Campaign for Fiscal Equity. Statistics concerning educational spending are discussed in the article.

This article presents information about the early deal that New York City appears to have with the teachers' union. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and union president, Randi Weingarten, announced that an amicable agreement had been reached 11 months before the expiration of the current contract. The mayor, looking for few concessions, seemed to be planning ahead for later discussions on savings in health care and pension costs.

The article discusses New York gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer's willingness to allocate more aid to school districts in comparison with other candidates, including John Faso. The author suggests that state aid to education is one of the most important issues in the elections for governor. Spitzer suggests closing hospitals and cutting Medicaid costs to help fund education.

The article discusses the 13-year long legal case in New York, which is entering its final stages. The lawsuit was filed in 1993 and claims the state of New York shortchanged New York City's public schools. Jeremy Ayala entered the public school system the same year the lawsuit was filed; the author examines how the lawsuit effected his education and that of his peers--many of whom have long since dropped out, or cannot read at grade level.

The article reports on New York City's consideration to hire private groups to manage many of the public schools. 180 small schools were created in 2003 by grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and those grants are due to run out in June 2007. Chancelllor Joel I. Klein would like to replace the grant money with taxpayers' funds to pay private groups such as the College Board and others to run the schools.

The article discusses the annual Dance Festival that takes place in many public schools around New York City, which consists of teacher-organized dances to celebrate the coming of Spring. No one knows the origins of the ceremony, but some believe it dates as far back as the 19th century, when public schools first began.

The article reports that, because of failing scores on annual math and reading tests, fifth graders in New York City are at risk of being held back, according to city education officials. This contrasts sharply with a big rise in scores a year ago. Third graders posted better results, with the number at risk of repeating the grade declining; there were also gains among seventh graders. Those who do not make the cut on the annual exams are encouraged to attend summer school and retake exams in August. Many explanations were offered by education officials for the poorer fifth grade results.

The article discusses the New School's 70th commencement held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Keynote speaker Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican and possible 2008 presidential candidate who supports the Iraq war, was booed and heckled by the audience of graduates and professors. Some stood and turned their backs on the senator and others held banners and waved fliers in protest of his appearance.

New York City's plan to recruit school teachers with a housing subsidy of up to $14,600 is discussed. Teachers who have at least two years of experience would be able to qualify for the subsidy. New York City would help to pay for initial moving expenses, broker fees, rent expenses, and down payments for condos. Teacher recruits must agree to work for three years in one of the city's toughest high schools or middle schools.

This article reports on an announcement by Michael R. Bloomberg, the mayor of New York City, that students in the city public school system would be subject to unannounced searches of their persons and belongings by school police beginning in 2006. The searches, which are meant to reduce the number of weapons brought into the city public schools, were denounced by some civil liberterian lawyers and by students.

The article reviews new organizational and management changes being initiated by New York City schools chancellor Joel I. Klein. The names and credentials of various consultants hired by Klein, including Chris Cerf and Sir Michael Barber, are reviewed. According to the author, city officials and consultants are re-examining every aspect of the city's school system.

The article focuses on James Baldwin High school in Manhattan, which teaches students teamwork with camping trips in the Rockland County woods. Principal Elijah Hawkes says that the experiences can help students to see that every action has a consequence for the student, the environment and the group. The program is part of a broader strategy by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to create smaller, community based schools.

The article looks at a decision by the Parent Advisory Council in New York City to boycott the Education Department's annual lobbying trip to Albany. The boycott and parent dissatisfaction is a problem for Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who was approved control of the city school system in 2002, because it will be difficult for him to obtain the state's cooperation for several of his education initiatives.

This article discusses confusion over school hours in New York City public schools for tutoring sessions supplied under a teacher's contract. Time changes to school hours under this contract have left many parents frustrated and has caused transportation problems for students. Tutoring sessions will require students struggling academically to stay late after school to work in small groups with teachers. Some parents believe that this system will only help students in schools that do not have problems with overcrowding. New York Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg support the contract, and believe that extra time at the end of the school day for specialized instruction will help struggling students.

This article discusses a teachers' contract in the New York City public schools which will provide failing students extra tutoring time in small groups after school. The contract has met with opposition by some parents of students, who believe that the new contract will only benefit students in schools that have smaller student-to-teacher ratios, which are already performing at higher levels. New York City Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein supports the contract and believes that it will in the best interests of all the children.

This article reports on the decision by New York City's public school district to eliminate whole milk from the school lunch program. The decision to cut whole milk from the public schools was made in an effort to decrease the amount of obesity in school children and improve their nutrition. The American Dairy Association expressed concern at the district's decision and warned that dairy consumption will drop due to the absence of whole milk.

Reports that 7th-grade students in New York City took the statewide multiple-choice English test and had some difficulty with the answer sheet. The exam booklet and answer form were not aligned correctly and teachers were told to use a key code for five questions. Tom Dunn, spokesman for the State Education Department, said the test was valid and would administer the second part today. There are concerns about the school-performance measure and students' eligibility to move into the 8th grade.

The article reports that a provision in New York City's new teacher's contract that will require struggling students to stay for afterschool tutoring is causing confusion and drawing fierce complaints from many parents and educators across the country. Critics of the program say it conflicts with after school events and will add millions to the cost of busing children. Comments from Dan Weisberg, the school system's chief of labor relations, are included.

The article reports that schools and psychologists are developing techniques to deal with anxiety caused by high stakes testing in New York public schools. The tests are administered to students at every grade level and their results determine if a child will be promoted or left behind. P.S. 3 in Brooklyn is using the "Test Monster," a drawing of a monster kids can use to illustrate their anxieties about testing and then ceremonially discard, hopefully discarding their fears at the same time.

The article reports on comments made by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in his inaugural address regarding the city's public schools. Bloomberg has promised to double the number of charter schools in the city, to increase the number of children attending public prekindergarten, and to upgrade the high schools.

The article reports on New York City public education and donations from the private sector. The city's schools chancellor, Joel I. Klein, and mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg, have raised $311 million from philanthropist. Elizabeth Rohatyn, who founded a nonprofit organization called Teaching Matters, comments on renewed interest in the public school system.

The article reports that New York City has narrowed the gap in achievement between black and Hispanic students and their white counterparts. The author reviews recent reading and math scores released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. According to the author, test results showed that urban districts made substantial progress in math and limited progress in reading since 2002. Statistics related to the test results are analyzed.

This article reports on the scoring of New York City's specialized high school exam. Joshua N. Feinman, a man whose daughter took the test, noticed that the complex way in which it is graded favors students who score particularly high in either the math or verbal section and do poorly in the other over students who have good, but more balanced scores in each. Test-prep tutors have realized this and have been encouraging students to work on the area that they are already the strongest in.

The article focuses on New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and his accomplishments, in light of his campaign for re-election. Data is provided which shows the status of public education. Information about better teacher training, consistent expectations for students, and the priority of instruction is discussed. Mr. Bloomberg is receiving support from those who criticized his efforts to redesign the school system. His Democratic challenger, Fernando Ferrer, believes that the mayor has failed to improve the four-year graduation rate.

This article discusses the claims that Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, New York is still forcing failing students out of the school in violation of the law and of its promise not to do so. Struggling students are being warehoused in the school's auditorium and are being given busy work and do not attend classes. Eventually the students are told they cannot attend because they have failed to earn any class credits.

Focuses on an announcement by the Bloomberg administration in New York City and the New York City teachers' union concerning an agreement that gives raises over 52 months and eliminates some seniority rights, as well as establishing a new master teacher position. Idea that wages for teachers have increased by 33 percent because of this and previous pacts; Details of the deal which requires teachers to work 50 minutes more per week; Comment of Randi Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers, and others.

Reports that an agreement between state and local education officials regarding standardized tests in New York City's third, fifth and seventh grades. Concern that students would have to take four tests during the school year; Terms of the agreement, including the amount to be paid to test publisher, CTB/McGraw Hill; Why the state must test all students in grade 3-8 this year; Rules that will be used to determine which children will be held back.