Over 1000 parents, students, teachers and communtiy activists came together on February 28 to say a resounding NO! to Chancellor Klein's proposal to reorganize the school system for the 3rd time in 5 years and to demand that he PUT THE PUBLIC BACK IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

St. Vartan's Cathedral was packed to capacity with hundreds more filling 2 overflow rooms and spilling out onto 2nd Avenue. Students, parents, teachers, elected leaders and community activists spoke to a spirited audience.

Time Out From Testing was represented and when we spoke about the need to end excessive and high stakes testing, people cheered their approval and made it known that they too were fed up with the Chancellor's attempt to turn our schools into test prep factories.

The coalition steering committee that planned this very successful event meets next week to plan next steps. Just before the rally, Chancellor Klein met with the steering committee that included Time Out FromTesting co-chair Jane Hirschmann.

The two demands presented to the Chancellor: to end the reorganization and create a mechanism for stakeholders to have real imput, were both denied.

Instead the Chancellor announced the appointment of a CEO for parent engagement - to be paid a salary of $150,000. While the Chancellor may think such a move would satisfy the public, it was clear from the response at the rally that he has misjudged the mood of the public.

A further update will be posted to outline next steps.
Keep checking the website to get details.