The New York State legislature will shortly decide which candidates, among more than twenty applicants, will be appointed to four Regents positions.
There are four candidates who have made a firm commitment to oppose high stakes testing and would bring excellent experience. You can read about these candidates here: http://www.nysape.org/nysape-endorses-full-slate-of-candidates-for-the-board-of-regents.html.
Please take the time to email your state senator or assembly member, and insist that they actively participate in the interview and selection process. Let them know that you support: Mike Reilly, Regina Rose, Audrey Baker and Dr. Carol Mikoda. You will find a sample email below.
Here is an easy way to access your senator and assembly person’s contact information:
Find your Assembly Member: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/
Find your Senator: http://www.nysenate.gov/senators
If you have the time, also contact Speaker Sheldon Silver, and Assemblywomen Nolan and Glick. We are hearing that keeping incumbents is “tradition”. This is not an acceptable response in a democracy.
Thank you for your efforts on behalf of our students. The sample email follows.
Sample email
Dear :
On February 4, and then again on February 11, Assemblywomen Nolan and Glick will lead interviews for four positions on the Board of Regents. It is my understanding that there are many candidates for these positions.
I am writing to let you know that I do not believe the four incumbents, Regents Cea, Jackson, Cotrell and Norwood, should be reappointed. We need Regents who are actively engaged with parents and communities and who listen to educators who know our children best.
As your constituent, I am asking that you attend those interviews. I also ask for your support of the following four candidates: Michael Reilly, Regina Rose, Dr. Carol Mikado and Audrey Baker. All four candidates know that our children are more than a number or a data point. As Regent Board members, these candidates will fight for authentic and quality education for all children in New York State.
Thank you. I look forward to watching your participation in the interview process.
Sincerely,
My emails are sent! Wonderful to see this posting.
Done, Done, and Done.
Several state senators have publicly stated that, for the first time in recent history, they intend not only to vote their minds for who occupies EVERY seat on the Board of Regents, but to thoroughly scrutinize each and every candidate, including the incumbents who are running. Our state senators are very upset with how the Regents are operating and fully intend to make their disapproval known. Typically, because there are so many more Assembly members, and because the Assembly is controlled by Sheldon Silver, most senators felt outnumbered and defeated before they even cast their vote, and so just kind of acquiesced. Not so any more. Those days are gone. Our state senators want to send a strong message to the incumbents, even if their votes get canceled out, that the road to the Board of Regents is no longer a rubber stamp. The Regents will have to earn their appointments. So, if you think that your letters and e-mails — especially to our state senators — will fall on deaf ears, think again. Our senators are mad and they intend to do what they can to fix this mess.
Thank you Diane. The NY Assembly and Senate cannot hide from this critical responsibility.
Done
Done….It takes a few minutes to find the email addresses, but a quick copy and paste and it’s done. I sincerely hope others will follow suit and those here will share this with the teachers in their schools.
I generally read your blog with a something ventured something gained attitude,i.e. information and knowledge. What’s lacking are examples of related plan coherent actions take down actions against local, state and federal government leaders and their policies. If there are a compelling reasons for a vote of no confidence against Dr. John King, Commissioner of Education in New York why not other Commissioners, State Board of Education leaders as well as the Secretary of Education. What’s involved in this kind of action is a coherent greater good strategy that connects good will and good results for our children. Let’s get busy.
I live in Ohio, but I emailed all my NYC colleagues on my listserv. I informed them the importance of getting involved and informing their legislators to choose the right education advocates for the Board of Regents.
Thank you for the providing the resource to take action in such a quick and efficient manner. I will spread the word after I finish emailing my elected representatives.
I adapted your sample letter to be more personal to my own situation, and have sent it off to my representatives, the other three Assemblypersons and the Governor.
Is it possible to hold recall votes on the other Regents and M. Tisch?
Although not endorsed, I also interviewed for a seat on the Board of Regents. You can see the video footage of my interview at the assembly here:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l6KKD2xA_Ak&client=mv-google&layout=tablet
Does anyone know how to find out what time the interviews are being held tomorrow?
It would be interesting to know in light of the fact that Greg Ball will be in Yorktown tomorrow night (for an hour…) — from 6-7pm.
http://northsalem.dailyvoice.com/news/sen-ball-host-common-core-workshop-yorktown#comments
Interviews last week went from about 12:30 to 5, I’m assuming the schedule is similar tomorrow.