New Haven Independent

Posted by: anon | January 27, 2009 2:28 PM

We need the police to start pulling drivers over for running reds/stop signs and talking on phones. People are blatantly threatening other people's lives, especially kids just walking down the street, and police often seem to just sit there and watch. Anyone care to explain that? Start giving out ten times more tickets than what is being done now!

You'll catch all of the criminals that way, too, since they're likely to be the ones disrespecting our 'hoods.

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | January 27, 2009 3:01 PM

More talk. Talk, talk, talk, talk. And nothing is changed. We don't need more debate. We need smaller government, fewer services, less burdensome taxation. We get more and more and more.

The Teachers Union is one of the most insidious quasi-governmental organizations going, procuring for its members tenured employment, a year's salary for 9 months of work, lengthy vacations, health insurance and retirement, all while its members achieve less year on year. Who has these kinds of benefits in this day and age, other than government workers?

Regardless of Mr. Dyson's integrity and experience, a Mayoral election in this city is simply the swapping of one interchangeable unit of control for another. What can Mr. Dyson possibly accomplish that will reduce the expansion of the New Haven municipal government in the lives of private citizens? That is the question he needs to answer and act upon.

Posted by: robn | January 27, 2009 3:16 PM

WOW

Posted by: cedarhillresident | January 27, 2009 3:24 PM

Robn wow is an understament!!! Yeah a viable and qualified candidate, is more like it!!!!!!! Finally!!

Posted by: Steve Ross, Interchangeable Unit | January 27, 2009 3:39 PM

Dyson for Mayor!

Posted by: City Hall Watch | January 27, 2009 3:43 PM

I'm liking this a lot.

Posted by: john john | January 27, 2009 4:04 PM

Anybody But John! Although I'd still like to see Bob Megna run. This is good though.

Posted by: Ellis Copleland | January 27, 2009 4:08 PM

Run Bill Run. I'll pony up money and work my *** off for you. You are EXACTLY the kind of leader New Haven needs.

Posted by: Heightz | January 27, 2009 4:18 PM

Dyson for Mayor !!!!

Posted by: TrueBlueCT | January 27, 2009 6:18 PM

New Haven might need an alternative, but Bill Dyson is not it.

We're talking about the same guy who committed political suicide by backing Lieberman against Lamont in the fall of 2006, then followed up that boner by supporting Hillary over Barack in the fall of 2007 and the 2008 primary.

When the above resulted in a primary, he quit the Legislature in pique, and claimed "I've been forced out". (only his hand-picked replacement, Gary Holder-Winfield, goes on to defeat Blango.)

If Dyson does run, I look forward to asking him why he voted against the Minimum Wage increase with his very last vote in the State House. If it wasn't an act of pure spite, what was it? Does he really believe an $8.00/hr minimum wage is too high?

That's right, Rell vetoed the increase, and then Democrats had to call a special session to override the veto, with it being questionable whether we could get 101 Dems back to Hartford for the needed votes to override the veto. (raising the min. wage from $7.65 to $8.00/hour.)

Dems really needed Dyson's vote, ad what does Bill do? He thumbs his nose at us and votes with the Republicans!
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5105&which_year=2008&SUBMIT1.x=15&SUBMIT1.y=10&SUBMIT1=Normal

Finally, if anyone needs further evidence of how badly Dyson has lost "it", consider this, as published in the Hartford Courant last June:

Even today, unlike many fellow Democrats, Dyson still has no major criticism of Rowland.

"I like the guy,'' Dyson said in an interview. "He was a square shooter. He shot straight. I appreciated that. Party label didn't matter to him. He is the one and only Republican governor in this entire country that I know that took on an urban agenda. A Republican governor was not supposed to do that.''

Dyson acknowledges that many millions of dollars poured into New Haven - his hometown - during Rowland's tenure.

Dyson, who turns 68 next month, said he would have had no problem if Rowland never went to prison at all. Rowland was sentenced to 1 year and 1 day by U.S. District Court Judge Peter Dorsey, and he served about 10 months in a federal prison in Pennsylvania.

"He got a fair deal,'' Dyson said. "The fact that he resigned - in my estimation - would have been enough. He paid a price for what had taken place.''

Posted by: Giannotti | January 27, 2009 6:41 PM

Now this is going to be an election that stirs us up!!!! You name it and I'll do it Dyson!!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | January 27, 2009 7:34 PM

just to add some more info to this story I have to post a link to this story ind the advocate.
http://www.newhavenadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=11531

Posted by: Laban Seyoum | January 27, 2009 7:54 PM

I am proud Republican; I am also a proud new-haveniete. King John DeStefano has caused us nothing but misery, and suffering. Unfortunately in the past elections there were no good choices of candidates for the residents of New Haven to pick to be the Mayor of the city. Therefore, the residents simply stayed home. If Representative Dyson run that won't be the case.
I campaigned for McCain during the past Presidential election. One thing that I noticed when I was campaigning is how much people were hungry for change. I now these for a fact the resident of New Haven are still hungry for change. DeStefano has been in power for almost two decades now. He is detached from the realities on the ground. I remember I went to one of his budget lecture, and he had the audacity to compare New Haven budget with that of Woodbridge and other mainly suburbs area. He has increased taxes, decimating small business and causing Yale to expand. He wants to create a city tax. As if the residents of Connecticut are not being taxed to death, more taxes. Crime is high, for simple reason police narrowly focus in the downtown area as if the rest of New Haven don't matter. People outside Yale realm are still tax payers; they deserve the same protection as the rest of the city.

Posted by: Alex | January 27, 2009 8:15 PM

Yes it is time for a new debate but, even more impotant, new thinking at city hall. DeStefano has been around way too long and we need a change. Community policing is dead and it is funny how the decline of community policing coincides with the rise in gang activity. With community policing the neighborhoods felt more secure and thus less need for gangs for security and protection. Dyson's experience with prisoner re-entry will do him well. The "new" NHPD just wants to lock everybody up. It is time for a change and Dyson can bring it.

Posted by: Stephen | January 27, 2009 8:53 PM

What a train wreck this is. A long time legislator who sat in a powerful committee chair seat for years while New Haven got the shaft and the state spiraled to last in virtually every meaningful financial statistic is the savior?

Will he bring in John Rowland as his Economic Development guru and renew their magnificent partnership of fiscal destruction? I am sure all of his "friends" at the state who voted him out of leadership as he flailed away screaming like a spoiled brat will be excited to work with him again and assist in New Haven's fiscal revival.

No ideas, no experience running anything, no plans except to attack his former employer, the BOE (what was it that he did again?), and to take a trip to the all too predictable well of Union support.

Have some imagination people. If you have held elected office in New Haven or at the State level representing New Haven you should immediately be disqualified as a potential candidate as you were either a coconspiritor or a hapless bystander to our current situation, neither is needed now.

Posted by: ACR | January 27, 2009 9:52 PM

Bill Dyson enjoys a sterling reputation that he earned the old fashioned way - by keeping his word time and time again.

Posted by: non-feasance@nhps.net | January 27, 2009 11:48 PM

attack dog machine politics - BAD
responsive demcratic governance - GOOD

Posted by: Thomas Burns | January 28, 2009 12:17 AM

Hi all,
Credenza needs to teach for a week--to see what we go through==he'd quit--but we don't

Bill Dyson was a public school teacher in New Haven while serving in the legislature--of course he really didn't show up for work at his school, but I am sure he had good reasons--how in the world would he know anything about education---please let us public school teachers do as Amistad does and get rid of the riff-raf the chafe---who they send back to us---AND WE NEVER GIVE UP ON THESE TOUGH CHILDREN---because we are for real------you have got to see what our awesome teachers do everyday to make a difference in the life of your son/daughter---I live in Westbrook, Ct and it would be so much easier to ply my trade here---but I am on a mission as our my 1809 other colleagues to do the best we can for your children (for your children are mine)---Destefano may get it wrong at times but I know where his HEART is --and its in the right place----Mr. Dyson--I don't know you and I hope you were a decent educator--but I can't believe that if you really believe in Amistad/Achievement First vs. the public schools----If this is true I will make sure you have no chance of becoming the mayor of New Haven--Tom Burns

Posted by: strangerthanfiction | January 28, 2009 1:34 AM

Dyson makes some very compelling points. Real competition and serious debate would be very healthy for New Haven. I hope Dyson runs.

Posted by: City Hall Watch | January 28, 2009 6:34 AM

Stephen and True BlueCt:

Your thinking is precisely why we have the city government we do - mostly unresponsive, small thinking, divisive and fiscally irresponsible. We are not better off for having John DeStefano all these years - crime, poverty, employment, eucation for the most part - you name it, no sector is good, let alone sterling despite all these years of running everything. The mayor did his best to get another job as governor and failed at that too.

Dyson doesn't need management experience. He can read a budget and he will surround himself with smart people who can take his principles and turn them into policy and good governance.

As for Rowland, the millions that poured into New Haven is in part, because he got along with Rowland. While both of you hate Rowland, he put money where his heart is - in urban cities to rebuild, retool. It wasn't all bad and Dyson is smart enough to see that and appreciate it.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | January 28, 2009 8:43 AM

TrueBlueCT
many new haveners picked hillary over obama..me for one. And just like all hillary supporters when obama won the primiarys we worked our butts of for him...that is what a democracy is about...have a group of qualified candidates and voting a winner...NOTE: Something New Haven has not had in a very long time!!!!

Many New Havners backed Trader Joe...that is why he won... (Not that we do not regret that choose.) But a choose made by alot of us.

Not so sure Bill picked Gary...the people picked Gary! He was an activist in the city that many of us knew. When the opening came up people where looking for someone to run and Gary expressed an interest in running and we the people asked him to.

And this statement means he did not do good for our city?????
Dyson acknowledges that many millions of dollars poured into New Haven - his hometown - during Rowland's tenure
Sounds to me that millions of dollars poured into New Haven...dang what a bad guy for making that happen??? :0

And Roland was an ok Gov but yes politics got the best of him and he stopped thinking about the residents of the state....Sad! But that seems to be happening alot. Some times we need a change of guard as they say...It is why we set up a democratic system! It is about the checks and balances...Does New Haven have checks and balances??

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | January 28, 2009 9:08 AM

Teaching is a difficult job, especially where there are recalcitrant children and ignorant parents. But whose job isn't? What about firefighters, cops, garbagemen, sewer workers? These are far tougher.

The benefits may have been right for the 1950s, when the community seemingly could afford it. We haven't been able to afford them for years and we can't afford them now.

The Union's leadership will refuse to recognize this, until the day the foundations begin to crack, as they have in the automotive industry. By then -- has that day arrived? -- it's too late.

Posted by: City Hall Watch | January 28, 2009 9:32 AM

Tom Burns:

If you are really a teacher in the public schools, that would explain why so many are failing. Your thinking is small and protectionist, status quo, same old. The charter schools don't always get it right, neither does old school. To decrease the achievement gap, to increase the "at grade" level CMT results, will take fresh thinking, open minds and a renewed committment to educating our kids. This constant drum beat of "we work so hard under difficult situations" is old, tired and has been around since I went to school. It's what you are well paid to do - just do it without all the whining.

There have been a number of teachers who have posted on here noting that it would be a lot better in the public schools if top administrators put policies and procedures in place to support the teachers, to cut down on the behavior problems and where teachers were allowed to be more than baby sitters to name but a few.

I don't have all the answers nor does Dyson. But I do know public education needs improvement. For the money that's invested in it in New Haven annually, we are not getting much of a return. That improvement will not happen with closed eyes, ears and minds.

Posted by: tiredofnewhaventaxes | January 28, 2009 10:16 AM

Finally someone to challenge comfy Johnny!! This has been a long time waiting. I'd love to see Jorge Perez run too, and make this a VERY exciting election year! Finally an election that a vote can make a major change in New Haven politics!!! I look forward to wearing the "I voted today" sticker with pride!! Maybe either one of these gentlemen will pull out the true unedited dirt on John and finally make it public info.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | January 28, 2009 10:38 AM

Tom Burns
just a side question...The millrate in Westbrook is 15.78 right hmmmm must be nice to not have to be a property owner in new haven at our lovely rate of 42.21 and looking at another increase this year and the next 5 more years. But hey not your worry to just work here

Posted by: citizen | January 28, 2009 11:21 AM

WELL WHAT A GOOD START MR> DYSON YOU GO AND MAKE US PROUD

Posted by: Stephen | January 28, 2009 11:40 AM

CHW:

My comment included ALL elected officials in New Haven. No need to swing insults at me as a defender of the status quo. What I am saying is that Dyson would not represent change but more of the same, if not worse given his record of self-serving political opportunism.

The "imagination" I refer to is someone else beyond these established pols with their histories, infighting and axes to grind. They fight and focus on themselves while we pay the bill.

Perhaps someone from within like Smuts at the City or Clark at the BOE who have at least attempted to make some changes since they have come in and confronted the status quo. Perhaps someone from without, a business owner an economist.

Folks I speak to would rather throw out the entire lot of these elected "leaders" but they see no viable alternative among the usual suspects. How is that small thinking or unresponsive? Divisive perhaps but I think it may be more unitinig then you care to credit and a better alternative than choosing between more of the same and worse.

Posted by: East Shore Folks | January 28, 2009 1:57 PM

Bill,

You will have a lot of support all over this city. I believe I am speaking on behalf of many many people. Fiscal responsibilty is what I believe we need most and a board of alderman who can make decisions without fear of a primary from city hall.

Posted by: former student | January 28, 2009 3:15 PM

Mr. Dyson, as a former student of yours I would be proud to support you in any campaign of yours. You were a dedicated teacher. You allowed us to reach higher. Your involvement in politics and passion for it made us want to be better citizens and not just whine about the problems but be active in making change. You stand strong on your convictions and for what is ultimately right. Many of us who were lucky to have you as our educator are here in full support. Please give us an option and prove many New Haveners that just because JD has been here for so long no one will vote against him and he will get elected again. We need choices. YES WE CAN!

Posted by: Disgruntled Democrat | January 28, 2009 3:41 PM

If Dyson can get elected, and then distance himself from the Ward committees that exist just to keep the status quo, and remove all or most of JDS' people that help run the machine, then and only then will we be on the right path. I for one think it is worth a shot just to get JDS out of office. As far as finding someone not involved in politics currently or in the recent past to volunteer to be slaughtered by the machine, I think it is highly unlikely. Persons discussing their desires to have such a candidate run should probably look in the mirror to find someone suitable. If Dyson is the best shot for change for our City, then we all should get behind him.

Posted by: Steve | January 28, 2009 5:02 PM

I would love to see Mayor Johnnie in another capacity- Out Of Town!!

Debating failure is a waste of everybody's time and Mr Mayor is the master of that arguement.

Go Bill, Go Bob go anybody!!

Posted by: Unfinishedsymphony | January 28, 2009 6:05 PM

Traderrrr Joe==Traitorrrrr Joe. DeStephony (rhymes with symphony),... move over. We're dying for Dyson,... for real,... literally. A leader's leader. (He also answers the telephone,... and does not hang up.)

Posted by: Brian V | January 28, 2009 10:57 PM

HOORAY!!

Finally, a viable candidate to challenge JD.
You can win Bill, no one likes JD, they may be beholding to him for the appointed postion he gave them, but I believe, given a real choice the people of New Haven will be happy to vote him out.
He has been stepping on his constituents backs trying to get to the next stage for too long.

There is not a department in the city that has been managed correctly in years. Our streets don't get plowed, Yale gets our land, the Police force has been decimated, unions have been pandered to for political support, taxes go up and services go down.

A new face that actually puts the voters intrests in the forefront is what we need.

This is one white guy from the Cove who is ready to go work for your election.

Stephen and True BlueCt:
Bill Dyson may not be perfect and may have made a bad decision on where to throw his support in the past. But where is this perfect candidate you are talking about?
Rob Smuts confronted the status qou? PLEASE! He is probably JD's biggest lackey! Will Clark- OK he's done some good things but will he actually run? I doubt it.
Dyson is qualified and accomplished, and most importantly: He is willing to run!
JD has got to go.

Posted by: Walt | January 29, 2009 6:27 AM

Bill Dyson is an honest and independent guy, not controlled by anyone, even his own teachers' union.

.

Posted by: East Rock | January 29, 2009 8:47 AM

Please Run Bill, would be glad to support you.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | January 29, 2009 10:09 AM

Tom Burns

You "NEVER GIVE UP ON THESE CHILDREN" and yet you refer to them as "Rif-raff and chafe"?

Please Tom, do the kids of New Haven and all of us a favor and please give up! Aren't there better opportunities for a teacher of your "caliber" in Westbrook?

Posted by: TrueBlueCT | January 29, 2009 4:21 PM

Draft Dyson? C'mon. You're talking about a washed-out politician who retired from politics after 30 years because he wasn't sure he could hold his district against the lovable Charlie Blango!

And this is the guy who is supposed to beat DeStefano? I hate to inform you guys, but DeStefano is loving this. There is no one he'd rather run against than Bill Dyson. A challenge from Toni Harp, Toni Walker or Cam Staples might frighten the Mayor, but Dyson won't do any better than Martin Looney did eight years ago.

And this idea that there is a Silver Bullet for our budget woes is ludicrous. DeStefano has fifteen year relationships with the city's unions, and if concessions are going to happen, which I doubt, the chances are much better with DeStefano, -- who has his legacy on the line, btw-- than with a rookie Mayor.

But have fun on this fantasy course! Me, I'm probably not voting for a Democrat who erratically voted against the minimum wage, then lauded John Rowland, all in the same 24-hr period.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | January 29, 2009 6:16 PM

TrueBlueCT
you need a hug!

This is know surprise to many. this is groups from around the city. People that may say I will support john in fear of their community's suffering put will be voting differently on election day. (notice I said fear.. fear that their communitys will lose the crumbs they get "aka plantation politics" ) John was not always that kind of leader he has evolved in to this type of politics. We have begged john to take care of the people that live here. we have begged him to stop the spending spree we have asked him to give the homeowners a break...till we where blue in the face.
You mention unions, again I mention fear.

I agree with an above comment about Clark and Smuts making change in a good direction. But these things have happened after most of the damage was done. I can name others in town hall that I beleve are keepers. All is not lost just heading in the wrong direction. He has to be fair to all the people of this city not just certain groups. The backs of the homeowners in this city will be broken come this years new tax increases.
John may have a sweet smile and a great personality that can sway a poor man to give up his last crumbs, but when those crumbs are no more the poor man is only thinking eating.

The people of this city want to eat! figurative and literally!

But it is nice that he will be using that 3 mill to buy up all those vacant home for the city. HMMM :) (that hmmm is for the person that pointed it out the other day)HMMM I know their are many more middle income family house they will be able to buy. Nice use of the funds!

Posted by: Tom Burns | January 29, 2009 10:34 PM

To fix the schools

So you read my post completely----Thanks---now come help us fix the schools ---we show up everyday to lift up the chafe and riff-raf to become good citizens and productive adults---and we won't stop because these forgotten children are the reason we went into teaching in the first place---40 years ago I was the chafe and riff-raf, and not afraid to identify myself for what i was--because until I understood my failings I could not change them until I recognized them ----I want our kids to be able to do the same-----I believe we all want the same thing----Success for all at a reasonable cost---By the way, I put my actual name on my post because I speak from the heart-Tom

Posted by: Ken | January 29, 2009 10:56 PM

After reading the article and the comments, let's see: he voted against raising the minimum wage, voted with the Republicans much of his last terms, he likes the most corrupt Governor we have ever had and he prefers raising campaign funds with the influence of special interests. Oh sure I'll vote for him. NOT!

Posted by: Insider2 | January 30, 2009 2:45 AM

A Dyson draft what a joke. He managed this past election to convince the 94th district to vote for Winfield who had no experience .... However that was a district and we are now asking if Dyson has city wide appeal. We also have to ask how does Dyson now fight the very administration that he supported for the last 14 years. He played Voight like a well tuned Ford Shelby Cobra. She in turn turned against the endorsed Blango. Now that was a masterful stoke. Now the so called democratic leadership are now wandering what they did wrong. But quite frankly they have nothing to really worry about. Dyson roots are not as deep in the black community and this city as he would like many to believe. Also Dyson who is for the people as many say voted against a wage increase for the working people. He befriended Rowland in his fight with DeStefano and the City of New Haven. There has been much discussion of DeStefano out of control spending but not enough debate about the New Haven Board of Aldermen who approves all the spending. So they are just as responsible for dire conditions we are faced with. Dyson is not weighing this run to help the City of New Haven. He is running because he believes that Johnny boy was responsible for him losing to Amann for Speaker of House. The fact is that Dyson own arrogance cost him that race. The fact that he made no genuine effort to build a relationship with his own state delegation members contributed to his loss. Dyson for 30 years placated a district like Johnnie played the city. Dyson for mayor. I think not.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | January 30, 2009 7:55 AM

Tom,

I think we share a high concern for the children of New Haven and for our society. However, after reading your posts, my guess is that we have very, very different ways of going about getting it right. Nonetheless, I wish you good luck.

Posted by: Edward_H | January 30, 2009 9:32 AM

Unless Dyson gets some arm twisters like Brian McGrath on his side to bully people into voting he does not stand a chance.

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2007/11/machine_pulls_e.php

Posted by: vidar simpson | January 30, 2009 10:52 AM

I have to agree with Insider2 here -- Dyson is not that different from Joe Lieberman. His "bi-partisan" get things done strategy is to cozy up to the republican governors-- Rowland and Rell -- and cut his own deals. I don't see any of his democratic colleagues on the bandwagon. BTW, that's excepting John Daniels. Two peas in a hater pod. Can't we find some fresh new faces? Is this region so lacking that there are no up and coming young pols that we can support to lead?

Posted by: True New Havener | January 30, 2009 1:20 PM

Tom Burns --

I seldom completely agree with Fix the Schools but your calling New Haven school children "riff-raf" and "the chafe" displays a level of disdain for children that says you have been at this too long. So on this -- I say more power to Fix the Schools. Unless you believe all children can learn, you can't successfully teach all children.

And as for your claims about Amistad -- that they get rid of children who don't perform -- do you have any proof of that. It's a claim that gets made by some people who work at the school district. But no one ever seems to actually show up with any proof.

Help me understand -- Does Amistad have a different economic makeup in its student body than the district as a whole? When my kid applies to the NHPS lottery (apparently the only way to get into Amistad) is someone at NHPS magically picking only certain "bright" kids for Amistad? Does Amistad have fewer kids remain in the school year after year than other New Haven public schools? Does Amistad have a higher expulsion rate than the rest of the district's middle schools?

I mean really what are you saying? How about from the outside it looks like you are throwing stones at an educational gem without anything whatsoever to back it up.

Nothing Amistad does hurts you Tom so why say smug nasty things about the school. It's no better for Fix The Schools to show disdain for NHPS when it makes a step forward than it is for you to ignore an obvious sterling example that all children can learn right in your own back yard.

Posted by: teachergal | January 30, 2009 4:39 PM

Not this argument again...any teacher who says anything negative about NH students should retire and leave the profession. We're burnt out and shouldn't be allowed near kids. Please, give me a break. Come into the schools and work in a classroom, walk the walk, and then talk the talk.

Let's face facts, there are many students with problems in NHPS....teachers are there to teach students and help them to prepare to be good citizens. But, we can't do that when juvenile delinquents run throughout the halls, disrespecting teachers/students and anyone else who should give them a directive, refuse to follow rules, etc. etc. Who's dealing with those kids when teachers are supposed to be teaching. I'll tell you who....the teachers. No wonder the scores are going up. Guess what? For scores to go up students have to work too, complete assignments, do homework, and participate in the process.

The fact is that teachers are leaving NH by the droves, there are no support systems in place for kids with problems besides call the parents who generally are part of the problem not the solution, and try to get a substitute to come in when a teacher is out, forget it. Oh, should we not get sick either.

No, no one want to talk about this, nor deal with it. Should a teacher complain then we are overpaid cry babies who should just quit and find other work.

Lastly, teachers paid for 180 days not the days off in the summer. Most teachers I know are working other jobs in the summer to make ends meet.

Tom, don't take it personally. Unless folks walk a day in your shoes no one understands. Many people on this post just like to blame the teachers for all the problems in the NHPS. We don't care enough, we don't work hard enough, we're not strict enough, we're too strict.....UGH!

Posted by: City Hall Watch | January 30, 2009 4:46 PM

I'm giving Bill Dyson the benefit of the doubt. Unless there is some up and coming pol around who wants to take on DeStefano, and who has the cred, I'm inclined to back him with money and time. I like that he's seasoned; that he speaks his mind; that he's not afraid of power or seduced by it either.

I don't care that he works with Republicans - there is another party besides just Dems. While he may have made mistakes here and there, none of them are fatal. Those of you who think this possible race is to seek vengence should think again. That's not the Bill Dyson I have heard about from anybody. I find it pretty funny that any of you think DeStefano has any real power over the state delegation too. This is the same delegation that DeStefano routinely blames, demeans and slams for not bringing home enough money for dependent New Haven. This is the same group he didn't both to consult before announcing his legislative priorities last year. The truth is, our state delegation does a damn fine job in this regard, routinely delivering millions of dollars more each year. Dyson has been part of the team that delivered.

Dyson's attention to fiscal responsibility is refreshing. We have not had that in years which is why we are in the mess we are - under any other normal scenario, New Haven would be declared bankrupt with clear liabilities far outstripping our ability to pay and the value of our city owned assets, especially with a history of selling them for a dollar.

But most important of all, is that Dyson is respected on a number of fronts that are important to the city. With a history of working toward a goal and not against somebody or some organization, with an eye on the importance of a good education, sturdy relationships with business, and a heart that seems capable of balancing the needs of all the diverse income classes in New Haven, I think he could be the change, the fresh wind, the new set of eyes and priorities we need at city hall.

Posted by: True New Havener | January 30, 2009 6:20 PM

TeacherGal,

I have no problem with the idea that being a teacher is hard work. I have no problem with teachers being paid a lot more to do that work. I have no problem saying that we need to staff schools appropriately and fund staff development sufficiently to deal with the real problems children face.

I do have a problem with a school teacher using dismissive terms that demonstrate his disdain for children. I further have a problem when a teacher with no facts whatsoever attacks an apparently solidly working public charter school.

Want someone to march on a picket line for more funding for public education count me in.

Want someone to validate Tom's words -- count me out.

Let me list some other hard jobs for you:
coal miner, police officer, day care provider, ER nurse, President of the United States, farm worker, etc.

If any one of those people were to refer generically to children as "riff-raf" and "the chafe," it would be no defense to say that they have hard jobs. It is even less so for someone who has received a masters degree in education and knows how children's brains develop.

Posted by: Insider2 | January 30, 2009 7:53 PM

CITY HALL WATCH on fronts is he highly respected. Dyson has never stood up for people in this city. When the late Charles H. Allen was marching on Winchester Ave along with Bruce Morris, Former Alderman Eddie Davis and many others to numerous to mention demanding jobs and a better education he could be in Groton laiding down demanding that no more subs be made. Dyson like Mayo and again far too many others to mention are tolerated and given a pass. Passes given because they were all the Black Community had. Dyson has played to the white community artfully and had very little visiblity in the poorer communities. We all tend to forget in the late 70's he was almost beaten by Leroy Gomes who ran on the Republican ticket and that was the only time he was tested. He was almost beaten because he did nothing then but stand spew rhetoric that the more affluent comminities were comfortable with and no one had to worry about him implementing any effective change. I mentioned this because even then many thought he should have moved on. It was a proud moment when he became the Chairman of the Appropiation Committe and for that reason alone the Black Community rallied around him and derailed any chalenges against him. Dyson has done some good but not enough for anyone to go out here and make him mayor. It is unfortunate that we tend to support those who show up and make no change other than do their best to blend in and hope everybody likes them while we punish those who have the courage to take a stand for what is right for our city. Dyson for mayor. Again I think not.

Posted by: Tom Burns | January 30, 2009 8:50 PM

To fix the schools

Ditto to you - we are in this for the same reasons

To True New Havener --Amistad does a GREAT job and the kids that get to attend this school are fortunate - --I did not mean to disparage them at all---But there is a bit of a different playing field-----

I myself was chafe and riff raf and worse as were other kids in my day and today---but I made the right decisions while others didn't----I'm here to help them make the right decisions to better themselves, and in turn our society as a whole---Tom

Posted by: Charter Fact | January 30, 2009 9:13 PM

CHW, Fix,et. al.:

Three little stats you might like to ponder.

1. Last year's 10th Grade CAPT test scores indicated 28 students at the Achievement First School taking the test. We know they have no Special Ed and No ELL students so where are all the kids who are supposed to be there? Held back(conveniently they are caught up in the late spring and jump back up in grade) or withdrawn back to NHPS that is where. They spend a lot of time and money focused on the high stakes tests. Do poorly on the practice tests and you find your way to the exit.
2. The recent registration drive materials sent to New Haven homes is so full or selective data and parsed facts that you cannot possibly follow it. Why do you have to cook the books and shape the data? Why combine reading, math and writing scores to create a fictional percentage? (the math scores were not that good that is why) Why use goal in one chart and not another? Why compare one school to an entire district? Why pick selective grades to run your charts off of? The answer is that the numbers do not look as impressive across the board and they have to now cut and paste and mix and match for the rhetoric to fit with reality.
3. The Charter High School did not make the State's AYP standard of progress (that is they are going backward, not forward).

The Charters have no great secret. It is a self-selecting group which generally includes motivated kids and parents. These kids would do well wherever they go. They have extended days and years and spend a lot of time teaching to the high stakes test. They have virtually no Special Education students or ELL students and can expel without all the trappings of a municipal school district (NHPS can expel but by law must still educate the kid and must take the kid back after 180 days regardless of what he/she did).

The Charters still underperform when compared against individual New Haven Public Schools or grades within NHPS. Do those schools have some secret that the Charters do not know? Should the Charters now follow the practices of these New Haven Public Schools?

The Charters do well by the kids who are there. God bless them for doing it and for the parents and kids who go there and feel that it is the best option for them. They have a place at the table but it is nowhere near apples to apples.

The kids at Foote, St. Thomas and Hopkins do quite well I believe, dare I say it, better than Amistad. Perhaps we should give everyone jobs, health care, facilities, technology and exposure to a variety of educational stimula. Then we can really see if teachergal and Tom are the problem or is it perhaps a little deeper and more complex?

Posted by: teachergal | January 31, 2009 9:32 AM

True New Havener....

Riff-raff, and the chafe, I agree were terms that maybe shouldn't have been used but I know this man and also know the work he puts in to help kids, usually the most difficult, try to find their place in this world. He is great with the kids and helps them throughout their day as needed.

Teachers in New Haven have a particularly hard job which can't be compared to coal miners and police officers. If we wanted to become cops/coal miners we could have saved a whole lot of money getting the degrees we need to become and retain are teaching certificates. You insult teachers with that statement!

I am not going to go on and on about this but readers must know that their is a problem in the urban schools and it's getting bigger....

OK, i've said enough for this morning. It's Saturday and i have papers to grade. See we work on Saturdays (and Sundays) too. :)

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | January 31, 2009 9:48 AM

TeacherGal,

Thinks about this analogy. There is a nice little town. People have prospered and lived a healthy life in it for decades. The citizens of the town value exercise and good diet and there is a large membership at the local health club. For decades, the health club has been great at keeping its members fit and in shape.

But imagine that a sickness has befallen the city. Over years, many start to become weaker, lethargic, and chronically ill. Over the years, a large percentage of the citizens are afflicted with this illness.

The leaders of the city call a series of Town meetings and come up with the solution: Because the fitness center creates healthy individuals, it must be focus of our efforts to cure people of this affliction. The town alders pass a law that says the fitness instructors now are expected to spend their time curing an illness rather than coaching a healthy individual to fitness. The club is no longer filled with healthy folks, it is filled with sick folks.

How would a health club team respond to this situation? If they were like most of us, they would say "This is crazy! You can't ask us to cure an illness! We aren't doctors! We didn't go to medical school, we don't have the medicine, the research and the training to do this. In fact I never wanted to be a doctor in the first place. I wanted to be a fitness instructor!"

And they would be right! But the town still needs to come up with a solution for its afflicted citizens.

TeacherGal, we need to meet our young citizens where they are. We need a radically different approach...a new system of delivering academic health.

Its not fair to ask you and the current system to "cure" its citizens. The current system is not set up to close the massive achievement gap. But please do not stand in the way when new methods, institutions, approaches, and yes, even entire systems emerge aimed at solving the epidemic.

Posted by: True New Havener | January 31, 2009 12:16 PM

Tom and Teachergal,

I appreciate the tone change in the dialogue. But there is nothing wrong in being very angry and loud about the achievement gap in this state and the implications for all of our children.

Posted by: vidar simpson | January 31, 2009 4:11 PM

Am I missing something here or does it seem that the issue of whether Bill Dyson has something new to offer us in the way of public service has been sidelined for Fix to get on a roll about the virtues of charter schools again. Can we get back to who should run for mayor? Anyone have any other ideas -- other than Dyson -- who will just be more of the same?

Posted by: Hood Rebel | January 31, 2009 4:12 PM

Teacher Gal,

Everytime I read your posts I just shudder in my shoes. You are precisely the type of teacher no parent in their right mind want in front of the their kids.

In fact, teachers like you are a big part of the problem. Tenured, thick and tired; and too-hard to be fired!

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | February 1, 2009 9:14 AM

FIX THE SCHOOLS makes a lot of sense. As far as my 2 cents is concerned, how are you supposed to combat illiteracy on a public education level when the peers of the most affected culture devalues scholastic performance because it robs them of their identity (i.e. acting like whitey)? No amount of money thrown at the problem can affect the outcome. Has to come from within.

Posted by: True New Havener | February 1, 2009 2:07 PM

Fed Up --

Your views are repugnant to decent human beings. Which culture are you talking about? Are you talking about the culture that repressed people for centuries in this country because of the color of their skin? The one you apparently participate in with some level of honor?

God bless this country that it has (at least a majority of its voters have) moved beyond your sick little view of the world.

Posted by: changefornewhaven | February 1, 2009 5:52 PM

trueblue......what is your deal.....after 20yrs of JD change within reach go Dyson.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | February 1, 2009 10:04 PM

Readers, sorry for the length of this post. I simply couldn't help myself. So if schools are not your interest, please skip this response!

Vidar,
I may be tunnel visioned but any serious discussion about leadership of New Haven absolutely, positively, without reservation MUST be about education! That's not to say that there are not lots of other things that the mayor must do and be. But there is not a single issue that even approaches the importance of k-12 education to the long term health of our city. Crime, taxes, housing stock, employment, business climate are all driven by the state of our public education system. So we need a candidate who not only understands the urgency of our situation, we need someone to run on it!

To tie it back to Mr. Dyson, he has consistently been a strong voice for good public education. He has never backed away from calling it as he sees it. He has supported the creation and sustainability of gap-closing charter schools, many times at his own political peril because people like Tom Burns and his union friends often threaten charter school backers. (The CEA and the AFT lobbyists are STILL harassing charter operators. Why is that, Tom?)

Charter Fact, - where to begin?

To say that AF has virtually no Special Ed. students or ELL students is false. It is true that there is a lower percentage of ELL students who choose to enroll in AF schools in New Haven than enroll in district schools. But rather than draw the conclusion that AF schools do not serve ELL students, you could do some more accurate research and find that the AF school in Bushwick Brooklyn has a predominantly Latino and ELL population. The school is doing very well.
While AF does not have a large ELL population, its New Haven schools do attract a higher percentage of African-America students than the NHPS average and a higher than average population of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. The mission of the school is to serve a disadvantaged population - and it does.

As for Special Ed., there is roughly an equal percentage of incoming special ed students who attend AF schools and NHPS schools. The main difference is that at AF there are more students who are exited from special ed. designation while enrolled at AF. Why is this? Draw your own conclusions.

You say "They spend a lot of time and money focused on the high stakes tests. Do poorly on the practice tests and you find your way to the exit"

I suppose that no BOE apologist's post can be complete without perpetuating THE BIG LIE. What is THE BIG LIE? That somehow charters "select" the cream of the crop (as True NEWHAVENER points out, in a blind lottery administered by the BOE!) while simultaneously pushing out kids who aren't making the grade. Here is a real fact: AF schools have a higher re-enrollment rate of students than do NHPS schools. AF never has and never will counsel parents or students to leave. On the contrary, AF teachers and school leaders bend over backwards to encourage all parents to leave their students in an AF school. While choice should always be part of the education experience, AF does an outstanding job of getting parents- including those of challenging students - to want to stay.

You claim that AF mis-uses data. Students who enter AF in the fifth grade show up performing well below grade level on average. So fifth graders and even some 6th graders struggle for a couple of years. Catching kids up is not an easy task. Progress is not as fast as all of us would like, but student progress at AF is inevitable. And the fact is that student performance gets better the longer students are enrolled at an AF school. That is what the data shows.

Question for you, Charter Fact: If these kids would do well wherever they go, then why weren't they doing well when they entered the school in 5th grade? And furthermore, how is it that two years later these same children are performing at or above grade level?

About making AYP...The charter High school did make AYP. It was Elm City College Prep which did not make AYP in reading last year. The difference is that the leadership at Elm City and AF have owned this challenge - not blaming the kids or their families - and is focused on doing whatever it takes to help students achieve. Let's see what happens with next year's data.

Teaching to high stakes testing...and extended day...

Yes, AF has an extended day. How else can you catch kids up who are so far behind? You might ask your own system why it has only sliced time OFF of the school day over the years! As for high stakes, there is nothing more important than being able to read and write. High stakes? You bet. The tests in Connecticut by the way are a pretty good proxy as to what students really know and are able to do. Reading, writing and math are skills to be learned and they can be tested with a high degree of accuracy.

Expulsion protocol...

Because charter schools are public, they must comply with all state laws, including expulsion laws. These "trappings" require that AF handle expulsions in the exact same way that NHPS does. No difference. You can look it up.

"Charters underperform some New Haven Public Schools or grades within NHPS...."

Which New Haven schools outperform AF schools? If you mean Hooker, do you mean to make a serious comparison? Examine the make-up of the student body and you will find that AF markets to families who are economically and socially disadvantaged. Not quite the Hooker population wouldn't you say?

"God bless the charters...they do well by the kids who are there."

Here is the only fact that you get right. AF charters do well by the kids who are there. That is why we should put as many of our kids in AF schools as possible. As quickly as possible. Lives are at stake.

"The kids at Foote, St. Thomas and Hopkins do quite well I believe, dare I say it, better than Amistad. Perhaps we should give everyone jobs, health care, facilities, technology and exposure to a variety of educational stimula. Then we can really see if teachergal and Tom are the problem or is it perhaps a little deeper and more complex?"

Your last comment suggests that you think that somehow we should change society before we can expect that academic outcomes will change. You've got it exactly backwards. We won't change society UNTIL we change the quality of education we are offering all of our kids.

Posted by: Insider 2 | February 2, 2009 2:45 AM

TRUE NEW HAVENER: Dyson over the last 20yrs spent less than 4-6hrs a week in the classroom and building while doing so earned a nice $90,000 at the taxpayers expense. The majority of his time was spent in Hartford. The New Haven Register, Hartford Courant as well as the New Haven Advocate for years tried very hard to expose this but Dyson was protected by John Dow during his tenure and this practice continued under Mayo. Yes Dyson along with Harp, Looney, Staples, Dillon, Aikens delivered millions of dollars to the city coffers. But there were no checks and balances in place to monitor how the money was being spent. It is the New Haven Board of Aldermen that are suppose to be the group that that oversees and untilmately approves all spending. But they are just simply rubber stamps and they do whatever the city and BOE wants. This group of Aldermen are perhaps the most gutless group to ever serve the City of New Haven. Dyson's political and teaching career were never in danger as you state. Dyson never took a political stand of any risk until he backed Malloy. Even in his backing of Malloy was not geniune. Again he did that because he believed that DeStefano was responsible for him not getting the Speaker of the House position. And even then his political career was never in danger. Dyson left the position of State Rep, out of frustration and because of his waning power in the Capitol. Dyson now says a discussion should take place concerning education etc. However it is disturbing that as a former legislator and teacher he never demanded that the BOE implement a true curriculum. He never demanded that the bar for education be raised on both the state and local levels. Instead he quietly sat back and allowed the creation of jobs for all of King John's friends instead of advocating that more money should be put in the classrooms and hiring and suporting teachers that have a real desire to teach and see our children learn. He never spoke out when he was in the position to do so and say to Mayo stop all the creation of layers and layers of administrators that do nothing more than collect a hefty salary. But then again how could he. After all he was rarely on the job. Iam in total agreement with most that DeStefano must go, but Dyson will offer nothing different. I thank Dsyon for his years of service he did do some good. However if he truly was concerned he would have stood up when he was in power and demanded business as usual is no longer acceptable. He failed to do that. Again for the 3rd time. Dyson for Mayor. I think not.

Posted by: Charter Fact | February 2, 2009 7:38 AM

Fix:

The data you use to support your facts is as fixed as your litany of other posts and agenda. The only thing you are fixing is your household income which you should disclose is directly related to the continuation and expansion of Charters in CT.

I find it quite interesting that you attack Public School and anyone who dares to work for and support them with venom while sitting on your high horse as the savior for our children. When facts are presented, including gains that are recognized by legitimate organizations you brush them off. When facts are raised about the differences between the Charters and Public Schools you ignore them. When they are really telling you go back to the drawing board and cook the books to develop some other comparison.

When some NHPS did not make AYP (with much larger student populations, more SPED, more ELL (not excuses, facts), shorter school day, less teaching to the test as the be all and end all you attacked demanding they be shut down. Now when Elm City Prep. falls short it is, let's wait until next year.

It is not just Hooker that beats your schools consistently and you know it. You compare 10s of students to 1000s of students as if that is a legitimate data study. If you reverse the logic and compare 10% of NHPS students to the entire Charter population then NHPS kicks your ____ across the board.

Your smoke and mirrors are fooling fewer and fewer people. You condescension if galling. Your elitism is offensive. Your positioning of yourself as the only savior minimizes the issues and ignores reality.

To suggest that you counsel no one to leave but rather to stay is such a flat out lie that it is infuriating. Infuriating because you claim to be the answer. You claim to be the way out of the wilderness for this child and this family, yet they withdraw??? Yet you let them go??? Yet you have zero contact with the family and try to woo them back???

Hey you want to access public money to pursue a private venture so be it. But save us the sanctimony please.

Oh and just for fun why don't you post the expulsion/withdrawal percentages for your schools and explain why so few 10th graders took the test last year.

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | February 2, 2009 8:44 AM

TRUE NEW HAVENER

"Are you talking about the culture that repressed people for centuries in this country because of the color of their skin? The one you apparently participate in with some level of honor?"

Yeah! It's the same culture that freed the slaves and eventually elected a black President. Time for you to stop living in the early 60's. You want to be seen as a perpetual victim? What child in the school system is a victim of slavery and racism? I can go back in my people's history and find that the Greeks enslaved us as well! Do I boycott the Greek Olive because of it? Irish immigrants were spit on and denied employment. What are they doing now? We all did what you should do... MOVE ON!!

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | February 2, 2009 10:04 AM

Charter "Fact", Hammer away! It makes for good debate if not always accurate!

First, I don't criticize people because they work for the district. Devoted and skillful professionals wherever they are found are to be celebrated, praised, and rewarded - that is if they do a good job. But having tenure is not the same as doing a good job. Tenure, in a K-12 public school context, has zero to do with competence or performance in a classroom.

I do take issue with the blind defenders of a system which has created, tolerated, and perpetrated failure for decades. You seem to be in this group. Despite the Cambridge report or the U.S. World News ranking, (both reports seem to apply the "soft bigotry of low expectations"), the district's performance is utterly inexcusable, especially when we can do better for kids today. And you probably are as aware as I am that, YES WE CAN.

Citizens should demand that chronically failing schools be shut down. If any public school, be it district managed or charter, continuously fails its students year after year, it ought to be shut down. Period.

But instead of debating me, perhaps you should examine in detail Hartford's plan. In Hartford, Supt. Adamowski has implemented a well though out strategy for improving the district schools schools which is delivering very promising early results. And guess what? Its NOT all about charters! And yet I wholeheartedly support it. Strange, isn't it? Perhaps you have some theory as to why.

Lastly, if you think that gap-closing charters have too few students to compare to NHPS, then why not let money follow the child and allow parents to vote with their feet? That would even it up a bit, wouldn't you say? More quality competition would be the best thing that ever happened to the BOE. Perhaps Bill Dyson might support that idea(?)

Posted by: Hood Rebel | February 2, 2009 7:17 PM

I hope Mr.Dyson and Mayor DeStefano are smart enough to know that education achievement gap does not begin in schools, but that schools do have the responsibility to help close it.

I hope they can cut through the elitists cliches and attacks and get to the facts and some real solutions around the complexities of what needs to happen to improve the academic performance of ALL students and especially those who have been historically disadvantaged.

Maybe coming into 'hood and talking to families about what we need rather than focus on some elitists ideas about what they think is best for us.

Finally, I hope Dyson and DeStefano checked the state department of education website for public schools not making Adequately Yearly Progress by category and realize that half of the Connecticut's Charter schools are on the list including schools run by Achievement First.

New Haven families with children in public schools don't need more mud-slinging about who controls New Haven educational system.

We need some real hard conversations and solutions about ensuring GREAT TEACHERS in every classroom and the engagement of parents in the education of their children.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | February 3, 2009 4:56 PM

Hoodie,

The first and last paragraphs in your post - RIGHT ON! Couldn't have said it better myself!

As for the middle part, I guess that you can believe whatever you want.

But just a point of clarification for everyone: AYP, despite its name, is a point in time snapshot at individual schools. Yes, Bridgeport AF is on the DID NOT MEET AYP list. Why? Because the Bridgeport school opened its doors in 2007 and welcomed a whole bunch of middle school students who were very far behind grade level (Hardly the self-selected over-achievers which BOE defenders claim attend AF charters). So the test scores reflected the performance of a cohort of students who had been in the school for only 6 months. These results were not unexpected.

But, what WILL be unexpected - and unacceptable, is if the same students do not make substantial progress two years later. What does substantial mean? I'm talking 15, 20, 25 point gains. Game-changing results. Life-saving results. Two years is about how long it takes to get a middle schooler back on track after being way, way behind.

Posted by: Hood Rebel | February 3, 2009 6:53 PM

To Fixy-wixy
You are wrong again and as usual rabidly and sometimes incoherently slinging around deceptive information.

Two of three Achievement First New Haven Schools are on the state list of schools not making Adequate Yearly Progress along with its Bridgeport school. But I am sure you have some more cockamamie excuses for that as well.

Your kooky attempt to explain away the lack of Sp. Ed students at New Haven AF schools are so harebrained it's hard to respond.

I just hope that New Haven families along with Dyson, DeStefano and whomever else plans to run for leadership in New Haven can see though your frivolous wall street type ideas about academic progress for black and latino children; which, in reading your posts, sounds like educational PONZI schemes!

Again, our community desperately needs a real conversation about ensuring great teachers for every child in every classroom and more engagement of parents and families in the education of our children.

Posted by: teachergal | February 3, 2009 8:40 PM

Hood Rebel states, "In fact, teachers like you are a big part of the problem. Tenured, thick and tired; and too-hard to be fired!"

You are so unbelievably judgemental How dare you tell anyone that they should retire and name call myself as "thick and tired (whatever that means) and a "big part of the problem". What are your credentials and what makes you such an expert on what is happening in today's schools. How about sharing with us about your experiences with young people. Id definitely like to hear!

Lastly, my students and i have wonderful relationships and they know i care about them. What i share on this blog are the things that i see wrong in todays schools I have had the opportunity to work in.

Also, i have been a part of the solution by participating in the "school planning and management team" (many volunteer hours) to develop mission plans, action plans, and assessments to build community and success. What do you do to support education?

Now, through current, onsite, up/close and personal observations, the kids and parents are running the schools and guess what the scores are continue to go down. Why is that "Hood Rebel"?

Give me a break Hood Rebel....I see you as being more a part of the problem than myself or any of the teachers in New Haven who are working hard to make a difference but it takes a village and part of the village is not doing it's part!

Posted by: Hood Rebel | February 4, 2009 12:41 AM

To Teacher Gal.
As long as you are posting your judgmental comments about New Haven students you will just have to put up with my judgmental comments about you! Your students are not on this blog to advocate for themselves.

Furthermore, the brazen indiscretion you have shown toward your math colleague by telling the world about the personnel related disciplinary actions taken against him shows how much you really care about your colleague. I doubt he has any appreciation for what you did.

Perhaps you wouldn't mind sharing your own personnel related files here as well.

As a number one priority, New Haven political leaders have got to figure out how to weed out tenured thick and tired teachers such as you whose first response is to protect your own ineptness, whine and complain about your students then throw your colleague under the bus to make some BS point.

Frankly, it would be best to do your students a big favor and just escort yourself out of the profession!

Posted by: Charter Fact | February 4, 2009 7:30 AM

Here Here Hood Rebel.

I also find it interesting that Fix's search for facts and results usully ends when he is asked to look in the mirror.

You have captured it quite well, it is all an educational Ponzi scheme.

With the high stakes test on the horizon get ready Charter families to be "counseled" to retained back into 9th grade or encouraged that NHPS may be the best place for you after all, at least the best place for you to take the test.

Let's start the over under for 10th graders taking the test this year at the Charter in New Haven at 30. I am going with the under.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | February 4, 2009 7:59 AM

Hoodie,

You left Al Qaeda off your list. ("Educational terrorism!" has a ring to it, doesn't it?).

Hoodie, at some point you do need to start putting out your own ideas about how to fix the schools - because all you ever do is talk about what's wrong with others' ideas. I'd love to know how you would go about improving things - rapidly.

I must give you credit, though. At least you agree that the schools NEED to be fixed! And you don't place all the blame squarely on families or a lack of money and resources.

Posted by: Tim Holahan | February 4, 2009 9:05 AM

Apologies for continuing the off-topic thread on education, but could anyone supply the link to the "Did not make AYP" list that includes Achievement First schools? I checked the latest information I could find (2007-2008) on the CT Dept of Ed website, and none of the AF schools are listed.

Thanks.

Posted by: Tim Holahan | February 4, 2009 9:09 AM

I put the wrong link in the post above. This link takes you directly to the only AYP reports that I could find.

Thanks again for any info.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | February 4, 2009 5:26 PM

Charter "Facts",

How do you "God bless" the charters for teaching the kids in their schools, and at the same time call it a Ponzi scheme? Do you think its ok for kids to receive a smoke-and-mirrors education filled exclusively with high stakes testing which you believe is worthless?

CF, as always you attempt to make this all about charters vs NHPS, and AF vs. NHPS in particular. Perhaps you think taking on this critic will rally your political base of support. For the record, I have never said that AF charters, or ANY charters are THE one single answer for reforming New Haven's schools. My criticism is based largely on what I have seen work elsewhere. Some of that is happening in high performing charters in New Haven and in other places across the country. AF schools, KIPP schools, Uncommon schools, Green Dot schools, are all fine examples of successful school models. And whether you like it or not, they are very relevant points of comparison to our situation here.

But I am also very supportive of another approach. I am a big fan of Superintendent Adamowski's in Hartford, and his plan is most certainly not charter centric.

So, if I am simply a blind charter school fanatic, just how do you reconcile my ENTHUSIASTIC support for a neighboring public school district, which has the same social and economic demographics as New Haven and Bridgeport, and is run by a public official (a superintendent) who reports to a Board of Education, and which is funded by state tax money (vs private, "Wall street" money)?

Trying to keep this about Dyson, (and it IS all about political leadership), if he runs maybe he will take more of an interest in what are very promising developments in other places, whether they are found in a charter school network or a neighboring district.

Posted by: Hood Rebel | February 4, 2009 5:26 PM

To Tim Holahan
If you are still interested: Go to the CT SDE website and scroll all the way down to a link by this title:

Connecticut Public Schools Not Making AYP by Category [PDF] 57KB Then go to page 11.

or try link:

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/pdf/pressroom/2008_ct_publicschools_not_making_ayp_by_category.pdf

Posted by: Charter Fact | February 5, 2009 7:38 AM

Fix:

Thanks for putting words in the mouths of other posters and attributing thoughts to their heads while ignoring legitimate criticisms to your arguments (in your usual patronizing way of course). I guess when you feel the need to post every third post sometimes you have to invent something to post about.

On your friend in Hartford. Perhaps you should note the major distinctions here. Funding is dramatically different in Hartford and its BOE has essentially become a ward of the state. As that considerable funding was not enough they now will be getting millions of dollars in "Sheff" money as they are (when you strip everything esle away) the Sheff district. To suggest they are autonomous is disengenuous at best and you know it.

This happens while on the other hand ECS is flat funded (again follow the money as Toni Harp seems willing to finally do and you will note it is really a cut as they do their math), and Magnet school funding remains precariously on the chopping block. Even ConnCan recognized King Robinson for its dramatic test scores gains for 3 years in a row yet Early Reading Success money was cut from that successful school last year and Magnet funds are at risk this year.

If money and socioeconomics are not relevant then why do you need to lobby for money to be sent to you at the expense of Public Education? Why do you need to knock down in order to attempt to lift yourself up? Why do you hold youself up as a savior for socioeconomically disadvantaged children yet so easily shuffle them back to public schools if they do not fit your model? So money and socioeconomics can be used by you to support your work and its funding but should be ignored in all other contexts? Do you even believe that? Take it back to the CONNCAN/Achivement First marketing team and shine it up.

A real review of Charters (which as Mr. Holohan is finding is not all that tough to engage in) reveals that they are not the silver bullet. There are many that have failed. There are many that have been closed due to financial mismanagement. There are many that perform below their public counterparts. There are many (like now your schools) that have not made AYP (again suddenly this is less important when you are on the list).

With that said, I have stated and state again, that I have no problem with Charters existing and participating in the education process responsibly. Giving families choices and options is empowering and critical (note the success of the Magnet schools in New Haven, just think if we were considered a "Sheff" district as we should and would have more resources for both public and Charter ventures). I just object to the manner in which you choose to selectively make your arguments and how you belittle the hard work and performance of students and staff in public schools. Are they all perfect, far from it. Do they need to do better, of course. But that does not mean we bash all of them.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | February 5, 2009 9:36 AM

CF,

Charters ARE public education. They may be another branch of the public education system, but they are a part of the system nonetheless. You are clearly someone who has a good deal of accurate knowledge about the situation within the system. I want to encourage you to continue engaging in a debate about these core issues because there is a dearth of public forums in which education strategy is debated freely and openly. Keep it accurate, resist the urge to demonize, and try to be as objective as possible, and your credibility will build. I KNOW that you feel the same about my postings and rhetoric as well. I think a civil, fact-based, non-patronizing debate could be valuable as our state struggles with the issues.

You make some very interesting observations about funding and the impact of Sheff and magnet designations.

I'll end by saying I completely agree with you about the quality of charters. All charters are not equal. The single most important contribution that the charter movement can make to itself and the country at large, is to cull out its own assortment of failing schools. After all, isn't that what the charter bargain was all about in the first place? More autonomy and less restrictions in return for better performance. If charters can't perform any better than the larger districts, then what's the point?

Posted by: Hood Rebel | February 5, 2009 11:49 AM

Slick Fix,

It is disturbing to many of us in the 'hood by the number of kids from Newhallville who attended Charter Districts who are now back in New Haven Public Schools District.

I know their families and yes I know these are struggling kids: truancy, attendance, academic etc.

But New Haven does not have another district to move these into and the city has got to become more innovative in dealing with their problems.

Yet, it's completely disingenuous of you to not admit your economy of being able to bounce these students out of your district to the New Haven district whether it's by student choice or other wise..

Posted by: Chris Gray | February 8, 2009 10:55 PM

To get back to the topic, Bill Dyson isn't perfect and there is a high likelihood we will get "more of the same" from him but I am so tired of seeing DeStefano's face and hearing his voice that replacing him with Dyson seems a refreshing change.

I do agree that he hasn't appeared to expend much energy courting African-American support in the community; I feel he will none-the-less garner that support, should he run, simply because of the tenor of the times. At this point, it would appear to be a good thing to be an experienced African-American politician with no major scandal nor complaint of corruption against him. Also, I do recall being arrested with both Bill and Chuck Allen during a protest of Yale's investments in S, Africa during the anti-Apartheid struggle, so he is not without some "street cred" in the community.

His ability to work with political opponents should also serve him well in an era when the voting public is tired of political gridlock, even if some of us liberals might have been offended at some of his choices.

At least he offers us a real choice for once and I do like his idea of avoiding a primary. Let the debate occur during the actual election, as in a normal political environment instead of one dominated by one party for over half a century, by my reckoning.

Posted by: Insider2 | February 19, 2009 4:00 PM

What street crediblity does Dyson have. Fighting against the immoral investments of Yale was admirable. But that does not translate into street creds. Chuck Allen had street cred. He marched in the streets of New Haven demanding jobs, better schools, funding for after school and community based programs. During all this Dyson was no where to be found. Chuck stood up to the sitting administrations and demanded that our communities be respected. And again Dyson was no where to found. I am not a supporter of DeStefano and Dyson will not get my vote just because there would be a new face in city hall promoting the same old tired policies. Dyson has been a staunch supporter of the sitting administration and now he wants to replace the King John. Also what politcal opponents have Dyson worked with? He has been a strong supporter of Rowland and then attached himself to the hip of Rell and voted against an hourly increase for the working people of Connecticut. He did not stand up for you in Hartford and what makes you think he will stand up for you in city hall. If you are going elect Dyson as mayor why not just turn the city over to Rell for she would be pulling the strings on Dyson.