NYC Schools Chancellor Wants Teacher Evaluation Deal Struck by Dec. 21

New York City’s Department of Education and the teacher’s union haven’t come to an agreement over teacher evaluations yet, and the deadline is Jan. 17. Walcott said a Dec. 21 deadline takes into account time the state Education Department needs to look over and approve evaluation plans.

Dennis Walcott (L), chancellor of the city's Department of Education, and Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, at a hearing in Manhattan in Oct. Walcott wants a deal on teacher evaluations between the department and union by Dec. 21, before the official Jan. 17 deadline. Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times

NEW YORK—Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said Wednesday that he wants negotiations over teacher evaluations finished by Dec. 21, about four weeks earlier than the official deadline of Jan. 21. Walcott said the earlier deadline takes into account time the state Education Department needs to look over and approve evaluation plans.

The New York City’s Department of Education and the teacher’s union (United Federation of Teachers (UFT)) have so far failed to come to an agreement. If a deal is not struck, about $250 million in state funding that has already been budgeted, could be taken away. 

“If we can’t reach an agreement with the UFT, we will be forced to pass some cuts on to schools,” said Walcott.

The department already faces a four percent funding cut next year. The $250 million, if lost, would almost double that cut.