Seven years of rising student achievement prove the system is working

WASHINGTON, July 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the loss of mayoral control of public schools in New York City, Jeanne Allen, president of the Center for Education Reform, today released the following statement:

"In not cementing the continuation of mayoral control of New York City's public schools under Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, state legislators in Albany have made a tragic choice, needlessly impacting the lives of families in the country's largest school system."

"Not only has the past seven years of mayoral control brought about significantly improved student achievement, city leaders have embraced innovative reform ideas such as charter schools to the benefit of all students."

"Now, Albany's internal turmoil and political grandstanding has left the educational future of their most innocent constituents in question, opening the door once again to those very status quo entities and ideals that so ill served New York's school children in the past."

"We urge the State Senate to take up the debate and ensure that robust mayoral control is once again implemented in order for the success of the past seven years to continue. They owe it to the families of New York City."

The Center for Education Reform drives the creation of better educational opportunities for all children. CER changes laws, minds and cultures to allow good schools to flourish.

SOURCE Center for Education Reform