Politics & Government

Quinn Wants to Axe School Grades

Soros backs de Blasio and Bloomberg says next mayor shouldn't let NYC become Detroit.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is planning to make some big changes to the city's education system, if she's elected mayor. 

In a new plan outlined on her website, Quinn promised to revise the methodology by which public schools are evaluated, as well as back a proposal at the state level to ban state testing for grades K-2 students to put the focus back on student learning rather than teaching for a test score at a young age.

She also rejected the idea of teaching to a test for all grades. 

"High-stakes tests have distorted the traditional effectiveness of a comprehensive K-12 education," Quinn wrote. "By moving beyond this narrow-minded approach we can ensure that schools serve the needs of all students and provide the academic, physical and emotional support that all students need to succeed."

Meanwhile, liberal lightning rod and hedge fund manager George Soros threw his considerable weight behind mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio on Tuesday, calling him a leader and progressive advocate in New York City.

"New York’s next Mayor needs to possess conviction, intelligence, and a clear vision for where they want to take the city," Soros said. "I believe Bill de Blasio possesses these qualities and will be an outstanding Mayor for all New Yorkers."

New York City's current mayor still has a lot to say, however, and apparently wants to make sure New Yorkers remember what his three terms meant after he's gone.

In a sweeping speech Tuesday morning, Mayor Michael Bloomberg contrasted his New York with the recent bankruptcy declaration by Detroit. 

Bloomberg reminded New Yorkers of the city's lean years in the 70's, and warned of the road ahead.

"Today, the city has never been stronger. And we have never had more forward momentum," he said. "Now, anyone who has taken physics knows that objects in motion tend to stay in motion. The good news is: That’s true of cities, too. The bad news is: unlike the laws of physics, the forces that can stop a city can be internal, not just external."

Citing rising pension costs, a upcoming union battles and more, Bloomberg set the table for all of NYC's potential mayors, and seemed more than a little worried about it.

"The question is: Will the next mayor continue to hold the line – or capitulate?" he asked.  


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