New York State School Leadership Fiasco
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The New York State Education Department just released test scores of proficiency tests in math and English given to all 3rd through 8th graders in New York public schools last spring. For months prior to the release of the scores, the State Education Commissioner, David Steiner dithered about whether to adjust the "cut scores" -- or the baseline for determining proficiency on these tests. Apparently research has shown that the New York State tests were not adequately measuring proficiency in math and English. But instead of methodically, collaboratively, and smartly revising and implementing new, more rigorous assessments, the Commissioner and the New York State Board of Regents decided to arbitrarily, retro-actively raise the proficiency bar for the tests already taken. As a result -- the "proficiency" level of students in New York has plummeted through the floor -- all across the state -- from poor urban school districts to the wealthiest lily white school districts. According to the New York Times, "The falloff in passing rates occurred statewide. This year, 61 percent of state students were deemed passing, or at grade level, in math, compared with 86 percent last year. Students also performed dismally on the English tests, with 53 percent passing, down from 77 percent.”
Education Commissioner Steiner and Regents Chancellor Tisch said research shows the existing tests had failed to accurately predict whether or not students were truly proficient or whether they would be ready for high school or college coursework. “What has changed is that we are setting the bar higher,” said Tisch. “The same score that got you over bar last year is not enough to get you over the bar this year.”
The Race to the Top has turned our educational leaders into groveling lap dogs pathetically begging for a slab of beef (or a piece of $700 million).
Chancellor Tisch and State Education Commissioner David Steiner are front and center on this pull the rug out, knee-jerk, illusory suck up to Education Secretary Arne Duncan and the Race to the Top dollars. Tisch has been a Regent since 1996 -- and she just now deigns that the statewide testing regimen is deficient? Here's what she had to say:
David A. Singer is a former political consultant/campaign professional and political junkie currently toiling as a lawyer in Westchester and managing real estate and media investments.
Sean Coffey for NYS Attorney General
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This summer I have been interning for Sean Coffey, one of the five Democratic candidates running for New York State Attorney General (now that Cuomo is giving up his position to run for Governor). Going in to the internship, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from it, or even what I was going to think of Sean as a candidate. The job ended up being a very hands-on and engaging internship. All of the interns were given a lot of responsibility, and we were almost always doing tasks that were visibly important to the campaign.
I learned an enormous amount about politics this summer. While I understand that I may seem biased, I genuinely believe Sean Coffey is the best candidate for the job of Attorney General based on what I have observed and learned these past few months.
The four other Democratic candidates in the primary are veterans to politics: State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, State Senator Eric Schneiderman, and former Superintendent of Insurance Eric Dinallo. Sean Coffey is a complete political newcomer, and, given the total dysfunction of our state’s government right now, this is a true asset to his campaign. He proudly says in interviews that one of the things that makes him such a strong candidate is, in fact, his lack of political experience. Sean Coffey as New York’s Attorney General would bring a breath of fresh air to Albany, something that is long overdue.
Sean has a very impressive background. He was born in the Bronx to Irish-immigrant parents and is the oldest of seven children. He grew up in a union household and moved around a great deal during his childhood. Sean attended the US Naval Academy and graduated in 1978. He served in the Navy for 8 years on active duty and for 18 years as a reservist. While stationed in Washington D.C., he attended Georgetown Law at night. Later he moved to New York to begin practicing law. He was an associate with Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton and Garrison and then became an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District. After several years, he joined Latham and Watkins as a corporate defense attorney, but then later returned to being a plaintiff’s attorney at the firm Bernstein Litowitz. During his years at Bernstein Litowitz, Sean led some of the most successful class action law suits in recent years, including the litigation against WorldComm in which the team recovered billions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors and historically made WorldComm’s directors, officers, and others pay personally for their wrongdoing.
Sean is more than qualified to be our state’s top lawyer, but beyond that, he has proven his dedication to the position by pledging never to run for higher office (i.e. what Spitzer did and what Cuomo is now doing by running for governor). Sean Coffey truly wants to be the next Attorney General and clean up Albany’s corruption, get the government functioning once again, and protect the state of New York. He’s released several agendas explaining his positions on various issues, and those can be found at his website www.coffey2010.com
If you are a registered Democrat, when September 14th comes around, I really encourage you to consider Sean Coffey as the next Attorney General.
Residents Urged to Conserve Water
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If you have experienced a dip in your water pressure, here is an explanation from Scarsdale Village Manager Al Gatta, about what is happenig with our supply:
According to Al, " The Village is experiencing water pressure problems as are many water utilities for three basic reasons:
1- The City of New York is delayed in repairing a main feeder line to the Village of Scarsdale that was scheduled to be completed on June 5, 2010;
In addition to the lawn watering restrictions imposed by Scarsdale, residents are also being asked to conserve water by Westchester County. Due to work that the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) is doing inside the Kensico Dam there are limitations on supply. During the construction we are receiving our water from a diversion system that was set up by the NYCDEP. The fire in White Plains on July 7 put additional strain on resources so residents are being asked to cut back usage.
If usage is too high, it could result in reduced water pressure, disruptions in service and possible mandatory restrictions, similar to those put in place in drought situations.
Construction began last year and will last through the fall. As water consumption usually increases during the summer months, conservation is more critical now. Peak water usage also occurs during the early morning hours each day. To reduce water usage, residents have been asked to:
- Limit lawn watering
- Take shorter showers
- Fix leaks
- Avoid unnecessary toilet flushes
- Refrain from running water while shaving or brushing your teeth
Additional tips on water conservation can be found at: www.westchestergov.com/wateragency. And if you have questions, contact the Westchester County Water Agency at (914) 995-4425.
Would a Roundabout Work at the Five Corners?
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The ad hoc Heathcote Five Corners Traffic committee was formed to look into how to ease the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic through the busy intersection at Heathcote Road, Palmer Avenue, Wilmot Road, and Weaver Street. Residents are frustrated with the waiting time to pass through the intersection, and the Heathcote Five Corners Coalition was formed to “relieve and reduce traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety” at the Heathcote Five Corners.
With even more development in the offing, the situation is only expected to get worse. Nine new homes are currently under construction at Heathcote Manor, situated on Weaver Street, east of the circle. In addition, an 11,000 square foot retail building is planned for 1 Palmer Avenue for the corner of Heathcote and Palmer Roads on the site of the gas station and the owners of the Heathcote Tavern Building have applied to reopen the restaurant and made several proposals to further develop the old tavern building.
The Traffic committee has recommended that the Village put out an RFP to engineering firms to do a feasibility study of installing a five-legged traffic circle, including a survey, and engineering and traffic analyses. The cost of the study is estimated to be $25,000 to $30,000.
A similar roundabout has been built in Glens Falls, New York, and you can click here to see how it works:
Do you think a traffic circle would do the trick? Share your views below!
Fireworks at the Scarsdale Pool
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On a buggy Friday night, members of the Scarsdale community of all ages flocked to the Scarsdale pool to celebrate an early Fourth of July. While the actual fireworks show did not start until 9 PM, people arrived much earlier to stake out a good location at the pool and a decent parking spot as well. With card and sports games to keep occupied, lounge and beach chairs to stay comfortable, and snacks and ice cream trucks to stay full, everyone was ready for the show. And, as always by the end of it, everyone left happy (if you forget about the bug bites you’ll be scratching for the next week)! Happy 4th!
Contributor Nell Brodsky is a 2009 alum of Scarsdale High School who just completed her first year at Brown.