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NY Charter to Develop Teacher Prep Programs

Teachers in the Empire State must, by law, either join or pay forced dues in every school district, teacher union power is very strong and pervasive. Charter schools were designed to allow more flexibility in all aspects of education reform, including how teachers are hired and trained.  And teacher union officials, while co-opting charter schools where they are popular, have definitely come out against charter schools because of that very flexibility they give.  The State University of New York’s charter school Committee has voted to let some high-performing charter schools to develop their own teacher preparation programs, which has teacher union officials clamoring for involvement.   Check out the story in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

“During that meeting, they voted to let some high-performing charter schools, such as Rochester Prep, essentially create their own definitions of what it takes to qualify as a teacher. They could develop their own teacher training programs, bypassing colleges and universities. And, the proposal would allow these charter schools to hire uncertified teachers with as little as 30 hours in the classroom. The plan could be adopted and in place by mid-October.