From as far north as Plattsburg to New York’s southwest corner of Jamestown to downstate’s Westchester and Rockland counties, "Day of Action" events spearheaded by New York State United Teachers garnered significant media attention.
NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten stood with educators, parents, unionists and community members in Yonkers and Nyack, where they called for increased investment in the state’s public school and higher education systems. They also demanded the state return its focus to teaching and learning rather than testing and emphasized the need for a three-year moratorium on high-stakes decisions regarding student and teacher performance based on assessments.
Meanwhile, at the Capitol in Albany, NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira was joined by United University Professions President Fred Kowal as they urged lawmakers to provide the resources necessary to enable students, educators and communities to reclaim the promise of public education.
"These were the most phenomenal events in terms of delivering a true collaborative message," said NYSUT Secretary Treasurer Lee Cutler, who participated in "Day of Action" events in West Seneca near Buffalo and in West Valley in southwestern New York. "Parents were so effective in talking about their commitment to looking out for their children... and kids were so excited to be a part of these events."
Follow the link for a roundup of media coverage.