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New York City
November 2002

Chancellor Klein Promises to Listen to Public as He Implements Systemic Change
By Tom Kertes

New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein has adopted a novel educational perspective as the driving force behind his “Children First” program. “Instead of the system working from the top down, as it has in the past, this will be a truly grassroots effort that seeks real input from–and requires the taking of real responsibility on the part of–parents, students, and teachers,” he said.

In order to receive this input, the Chancellor announced an ambitious listening tour initiative at a public meeting of the Panel for Educational Policy at Brooklyn’s Edward R. Morrow High School. Within the next three and a half months, he intends to meet with 5,000-plus parents, teachers, students, and business and community leaders.

The meetings will range from coffee circles of 2-40 parents held at the Tweed Courthouse to public meetings for more than 300 participants in school auditoriums. “This is our shot for real change,” Klein told the audience. “I beg you to take this seriously. I implore you participate.”

The Chancellor still needs to convince the public both of the seriousness of his purpose and the efficiency of his staff to implement policy. As one parent, Althea Thomas asked, “Will our voices make a real difference–or are we just window-dressing?,” echoing the mood of many at the meeting. Recalling last year’s parent-opinion study–requested by then-chancellor Harold Levy at the cost of $605,000–panel member Donald Weber begged Klein to act swiftly. “We’ve had 12 Chancellors in 18 years,” he stated.

“The central focus of this administration shall be to enact systemic, serious change,” replied Klein. “It will involve a realignment of functions. The focus shall be not on a school system, it will be on schools. We’ll aggressively seek the perspective of parents, students, and teachers. The number one key is parent and community involvement.” Senior staff member Michelle Cahill gave a detailed description of the various plans for the engagement of parents and the community over the next several months.

Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning Diana Lam spoke about literacy, which “profoundly affects every aspect of our lives, from employment to crime to our social circle.” Lam, acclaimed by the Chancellor as the “number one literacy expert in the United States” said. “Reading and writing well ensures success in all subjects. Among other things, we will implement a new type of assessment in literacy, a less formal way of testing that shall be a more continuous, immediate–and therefore better–evaluation of the student. We’ll refocus our resources on instructional leadership where the most important factor shall be the interaction between student and teacher. And, in addition, we shall create a new model for professional development as well.”

This meeting was the first for the two newest members of the panel. In his introduction, Chancellor Klein called Caroline Kennedy–the Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships–a “jewel and a tremendous asset.”

“I first aspired to public service after I heard Caroline’s father speak as a presidential candidate in 1960,” Klein said. “So I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am about having a chance to work with her.”

Marcie Harris, the first African-American woman to become a Major General in the U.S. Army, “should bring a great amount of knowledge and organizational experience to our effort,” Klein added. “I am thrilled to have her skills on the side of public education and working with her for the important changes we are attempting to implement.”#

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