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Volume XXI • Number 26 • June 26 - July 2, 2014 •
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Bronx Science parents raise alarm over test A nervous Parents’ Association at the Bronx High School of Science announced their opposition to a bill that would repeal the Hecht Calandra Act, passed in 1971, that assures that admission to that school, as well as Stuyvesant and Brooklyn Tech High Schools is through competitive examination. A number of legislators, at the behest of Mayor Bill DeBlasio, proposed changing the mandated admissions process. “We stand for an admissions process that is a pure meritocracy, with one standard that is transparent and incorruptible, stated the parents. “The suggested changes to the admissions process do nothing to address the root cause of inequity in elementary and middle school education. Further, the proposed new admissions criteria are deeply flawed. Disparities in academic outcomes start very early on. The parents’ position won support from two local legislators, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Jeffrey Klein. Mr. Klein is facing a challenge from former Council Member Oliver Koppell, but presumably Mr. Koppell is a supporter of retaining the current law that he voted for in the Assembly forty-two years ago. The parents stated: “Bronx Science has for over seventy-five years been a home for gifted and hard working students of all backgrounds to attain the American Dream. With a population that is a wonderfully diverse as New York City itself, Bronx Science is a home for students across
racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. “Bronx Science (and its fellow schools Stuyvesant and Brooklyn Tech) has a long history of serving immigrant and economically disadvantaged communities. The current admissions process is color blind and immune from corruption and politics.” The parents noted, “nearly half of the student body at Bronx are eligible for free or reduced lunch, a metric that captures families that live near or below the poverty line in New York City. More than half of families currently at Bronx
Science do not speak English in the home at all, including 568 students who are immigrants themselves.” The parents urged instead that the city “dramatically improve middle and elementary school education for all. This is the number one cause of this issue and must be immediately addressed by the Department of Education. Every child, regardless of ethnicity, deserves an education of equal quality that will inspire each to reach his or her potential.” The parent concluded, “The specialized high schools are the jewels in the crown
of our education system. With a myriad of problems facing our public schools today, focusing on schools that are thriving fails to address the root causes of educational inequity. In 1971 our wise state legislators realized that the admissions process for the Specialized High Schools needed to be protected by law from the tides of politics, pandering, and poor planning, passing the Hecht-Calandra Act. Changing a meritocracy and already fair admissions procedure deflects from real failure to fairly educate every student equally and only further hurts all of our children.”
OK Engel bill on alternative fuels
Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced today that his language requiring the use of alternative fuel vehicles by the U.S. Department of Defense, and related agencies, was adopted in the FY 2015 Department of Defense Appropriations bill. The Open Fuel Standards Act, first introduced by Congressman Engel in July 2008, requires that 80 percent of new cars sold in the United States by 2016 run on any combination of ethanol, methanol or gasoline. “It’s unthinkable that we are continuing to send $600 billion to hostile nations each year to buy oil, given that alternative fuel sources exist. Support for alternative fuel sources will encourage further development and reliance on domestic energy resources – including biomass, natural gas, agricultural waste, hydrogen, renewable electricity, methanol and ethanol.” “Developing our own energy sources will protect consumers from price spikes at the pump, and boost our national security by severing our dependence on foreign oil. There’s no reason to continue our overreliance on foreign oil.”
State Senator Jeff Klein and Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. are again sponsoring a pre-Independence Day fireworks display. The photo above was taken at last year’s event. The Bronx Fireworks Spectacular is a free event taking place this Friday, June 27 at Orchard Beach from 6 - 11pm. It will feature music, a magic show, face painting, balloon art and, of course, fireworks by Grucci. The musical performance starts at 7pm and the fireworks show starts at 9pm. The fireworks have always been held as a precursor to the 4th of July Holiday Weekend and also allows an opportunity to salute current, returning or veteran service men or women. In his capacity as State Senate Co-Leader, Senator Jeff Klein not only found funds to hold the fireworks, but also secured an unprecedented and robust commitment to New York State veterans by providing contracts to service-disabled veteran owned businesses. Under this new measure, 6% of state contracts will be set-aside and awarded to service-disabled veteran owned small businesses. This bill will empower disabled veterans as small business owners by allowing them to roll-up their sleeves and embrace the entrepreneurial spirit. Last year, Senator Klein championed the first “Jobs for Heroes” tax credit and this year Senator Klein is continuing his work to help veterans fully reintegrate into civilian life in New York. Senator Klein said, “With warm weather and the start of the summer, I am looking forward to one of my favorite events of the year - the Bronx Fireworks Spectacular. This celebration is a great chance for Bronxites to enjoy music, food and, of course, fireworks with friends and family. It also provides an opportunity for us to salute the brave men and women who serve our country and defend our freedoms. With 4th of July right around the corner, our Fireworks Extravaganza is a great time to commemorate all who have sacrificed so much to protect our country.”