The upstart challenger running against state Sen. Bill Perkins last night blasted the Harlem Democrat during a televised debate for his opposition to charter schools, calling him a “polarizing figure” whose knee-jerk support of public schools over charters left the community in tatters.

9/3/2010, New York Post, New York  http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/foe_slams_perkins_on_charters_IHb1dY7mwsbKxQvPPBMiXK

Duncan praised government, school and union leaders for working together to create a plan with several reforms, including beefed-up teacher evaluations and more charter schools.

8/31/2010, New York Daily News, New York  http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/education/2010/08/31/2010-08-31_ed_czar_gives_new_york_a_for_race_to_top_effort.html

The state won $700 million Tuesday in the second round of Race to the Top, garnering so many points that it came in second place among 10 winners.

8/26/2010, New York Daily News, New York  http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/08/26/2010-08-26_charter_school_battle_didnt_affect_aid_win.html#ixzz0xiFVrhA2

“All of the other stimulus money has gone for teacher retainment,” said Veronica Montgomery-Costa, president of Local 372, which represents aides, paraprofessionals and other workers. “Our members have constantly retained the cuts.”  Just a few weeks ago, the union was told that about 600 members – 500 school aides, 60 parent coordinators, 65 family paraprofessionals and 75 bookkeepers – would be laid off before the start of school on Sept. 7.  Union officials said Tuesday they believe most of those jobs have been saved. But they were still waiting for confirmation.

8/25/2010, Daily News, New York  http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/08/25/2010-08-25_fed_funds_must_save_school_jobs_union.html

Experts have many theories, but no clear answers, about why national progress on closing the gap has slowed. They included worsening economic conditions for poor families and an increase in fatherless black households, social factors that interfere with students’ educational progress.

8/16/2010, New York Times, New York  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/16/nyregion/16gap.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

On Tuesday New York State became one of 19 finalists in the second round of President Obama’s Race to the Top competition. If New York manages to become one of the winning states, it could receive up to almost $700 million for its public schools.  Whether New York wins the funding or not, the educational reforms endorsed by President Obama are here to stay.

7/31/2010, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, New York  http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=31&id=37124