Rift widens between City Hall and teachers union as UFT threatens literacy curriculum pushback
When New York City officials launched a big shakeup in reading instruction three years ago, they had a key ally at their side: the city’s teachers union. Now, shortly after a plunge in reading scores , United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew is…
New York City officials initiated a significant overhaul in reading instruction three years ago with the support of the city's teachers union, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT). However, after a decline in reading scores, UFT President Michael Mulgrew is threatening to sever the union's backing of the curriculum overhaul, known as NYC Reads.
The union chief accused the Department of Education of incompetence and irresponsibility in its implementation, citing a series of tasks piling up for teachers. Without reforms, Mulgrew said they might have to withdraw their support for the initiative. The latest tension between the union and City Hall stems from the union's criticism of several burdensome requirements layered onto the mandate, including an excessive number of student assessments and the use of additional city-approved intervention programs for struggling readers.
Mulgrew also accused the city of rolling back earlier promises to give teachers flexibility in implementing the curriculum. The Education Department refuted Mulgrew's claims, stating that there were no changes in assessment or pacing policies last year, except for the requirement of using approved intervention programs.
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