The puppets got their strings pulled tonight. The public knows the panel is a farce. The panelists know they can't go against Mayor Bloomberg. Yet the game plays out. Time after time after time...

It is expected to be a contentious meeting tonight as the Panel for Educational Policy votes on whether to phase out nearly two dozen schools. The schools face closure because of poor performance, but some teachers and parents blame the Department of Education for a lack of resources and support.

The PEP consists mostly of Mayor Bloomberg's appointees and, as a result, has never voted against a DOE school closing recommendation. Protesters from "Occupy the DOE" are expected to demonstrate against the process, which they say excludes the voices of parents and educators. What do you say?

If you sat on the Panel for Educational Policy, would you vote to close struggling schools? Do you support an attempt by protesters to bring tonight's meeting to a standstill? Is shuttering failing schools and replacing them with new teachers the best way to improve student performance?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

I stand in solidarity with those attempting to shut this meeting down. For years I have attended these meetings, watching the majority of the panel members serving at the pleasure of our mayor and carry out his misguided practice of so-called school reform. He champions “choice”, yet gives no real choice to parents, students and teachers. School choice is ultimately the mayor’s choice. He chooses to DO NOTHING to institute real change in your neighborhood and community schools. Since he cannot or will not improve or properly support schools our public schools, he chooses to close them. He chooses to outsource his job to education corporations allowing them to create and run charter schools that take public funds and space away from our public schools in order to serve a select group of students with significantly less special needs than our public schools. These charter schools, according to recent research, do no better job than our public schools--and our public schools serve ALL students. The students of New York City deserve better than this.

Real school reforms look like this:

Real Reform #1: Smaller Class Sizes
Real Reform #2: Excellent Community Public Schools for ALL Children
Real Reform #3: More Teaching – Less Testing
Real Reform #4: Parent and Teacher Empowerment and Leadership
Real Reform #5: Equitable Funding for ALL Schools
Real Reform #6: Anti-Racist Education Policies
Real Reform #7: Culturally Relevant Curriculum
Real Reform #8: Expand Pre Kindergarten and Early Intervention Programs
Real Reform #9: Qualified and Experienced Educators and Educational Leaders
Real Reform #10: Democratic and Social Justice Unionism

Alev
ESL Teacher

They are closing the schools based on very superficial reasons.I attended a school rally where they stated that only 13 per cent of black and Latino students graduate from high school.Closing these schools will just make the percentage lower.

Rosalie from Canarsie.

The reason they are closing school is to make it free. We have started using increadable websites to educate people faster. And since most people have access to internet then we can teach alot cutting cost dramatically.

PAUL,
FROM QUEENS

Hi John,

I'm not a violent person but I think they should protest profusely because that will scare them just like OCCUPY did. You see how they backed off. Besides they have had their way for to long a time. They are always in our face and enjoy doing it. AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE HELL MS. Q WAS TRYING TO SELL TODAY. I LISTENED FOR 2 MINUTES AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THE HELL ALL OF THIS MONEY IS COMING FROM. WHOLE IS SHE KIDDING ABOUT NEW YORKERS COMING TOGETHER. SHE FORGETS HOW MANY LAWS WERE PASSED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS UP IN ALBANY. I RESENT ALL OF THEM WITH A PASSION. IT’S ALWAYS LIES, LIES , LIES AND MORE LIES. PEOPLE GO GET EM.

Thank you John,
maxxiee
mp

The mayor, via his PEP appointees and Chancellor, looks down his nose at parent and community voices. It takes real fortitude to go testify at these long, contentious PEP meetings, when you know that the panel's vote is pre-ordained. Having sat through several, I am always grateful for the very few panel members (often just Patrick Sullivan) who have actually fully read the proposals before them and manage to ask thoughtful questions. The PEP structure really has to change if communities are to have any meaningful voice in the education system in NYC. I do not believe the PEP should be given the task of voting to close or open schools - I disagree with both the policy and the conditions under which these life and community-altering decisions are made.

Anni
Upper West Side

I believe that even though it is not right for those schools to be closed they should be because they are not properly fufilling their role. Schools are supposed to do everything they can so that the students do the absolute best. If its not the schools problem its the students. If so then parents should do something more than just protest. If students cant do well in school and school cant do much about it, it should be closed down.

Wenqi

DID YOU EVER SEE AN OLD TIME MOVIE WHERE AN INNOCENT PERSON WAS ABOUT TO BE HUNG AT THE GALLOWS? MY THOUGHTS WERE, WHY ISN'T THIS PERSON SCREAMING AND KICKING TO RESIST THE NOOSE.? THANKFULLY, PARENTS AND EDUCATORS WILL ATTEMPT TO RESIST THE NOOSE AND WILL AT LEAST BE VOCAL AND KICKING TO BE HEARD. NO OLD TIME MOVIE HERE, JUST VAUDEVILLE FROM THE EMPTY SUITS.

JOE, BAY TERRACE

Okay, I cannot make tonight in Brooklyn, but frankly, I do not see our school not closing (GATEWAY HS, BRONX). It's already been "slated," and I truly believe the entire NYC Public School system needs a huge overhaul. I agree that the resources were never implemented to empower teachers, who are expected to produce what students don't have from within. Although I am not a teacher, but am an educator, I consider that either way kids are losing. Not to mention...staff has to be shifted here and there, and we have families and we also need stability! Kids do better with continuity, and this is no way to handle failing schools. But, the DOE itself set us up for failure, so for that, I THANK YOU! Mayor Bloomberg, what the hell do YOU know about schools? If you really gave a damn, perhaps you'd shell out some of your own personal money to help us with lack of resources, etc. Our kids will be the ALL CHILDREN LEFT BEHIND...as opposed to the infamous NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND.

ONCE AGAIN...THANK YOU MAYOR ...WHAT'S YOUR NAME!

Ms. Vazquez

The best way to improve student performance at failling schools is to bring in support and money to fix the schools rather than close them. Most of these failing schools are in lower socio-economic neighborhoods where the home support is not strong, meaning no matter how hard a teacher or administrator works, when the child goes home to whatever in the home, there is a road to failure already painted for that child. Children succeed where there is support at home and at school and where school and home work together. Programs to help the parents with today's school work, programs that help the parents with today's stresses, can help a child to succeed. The DOE should support these programs offered by schools with money and qualified staff. The DOE needs to provide the funds for updated text books and materials in the classrooms so the teacher has the necessary items to teach in today's world. These schools aren't failing because of poor management or staffing, they're failing because the DOE has failed the management and staff inside these buildings, thereby failing the students they serve.

Jessica, Arden Heights, Staten Island

When a business fails to deliver to consumers expectations, they should go bankrupt. Why should this not apply to schools? Perhaps a closing is extreme, but a mass firing and hiring is in order. Continuing to bail out failing schools is just as much a moral hazard as bank bailouts.

Frank, Sunset Park, Brooklyn

I'm totally opposed to closing these schools rather than giving needed support. Some of these s hooks received a B on the DOE's own rating system. The DOE is covering for their own ineffectiveness.

Sheila

I am an educator and a parent. The closing of schools by the city is the mayor's way of breaking up the union. It is unjust and only hurts our kids. Failing schools that are made into smaller schools will still have the same students. The only changes are in teachers and administrators. Let's give the parents the support to help their kids. It all begins at the home. Parents and students need guidance and help.

Jenn from Astoria.

I'm not sure if these 23 failing schools should be closed or not, but I do know this: The Teachers Union demonizing the Mayor with a barrage of negative television commercials is not productive, and I resent it. There is an awful lot loyalty for failing schools. Something needs to be done. Gwen from East Harlem is not helping the situation when she says that she wants to punch Frank in the nose. Let's act like adults and work together to make the situation better.

Bobby G
East Village

its sad that every 1 talks with out thinking that school is a special school and no 1 there is working hard they walk around i see it all the time i live there most kids think it play time this school need to b closed down sorry

Anonymous

As a parent whose child's middle school closed in 2010. Saw the terrible affect on the students. My son gave up, by closing his school he felt as everyone gave up on them.

Lyn, Harlem

The mission of the PEP and the DOE is to destabilize and close our Community Public Schools and privatize them in the form of charter schools. Under mayoral control, they suffocate parents, teachers and students' voices. Mayoral control is undemocratic. Therefore, the PEP, the DOE and mayoral control should be abolished and replaced with a democratic governance structure that includes parents, teachers, students and concerned community citizens.

Antoine
Bronx

Most people don't realize the monumental job teachers have in this tough, urban city. We are expected to succeed against overwhelming odds. Crowded classrooms, unending paperwork and no respect or support from administration! It's so demoralizing! Mayor Bloomberg thinks we can heal all of societies ills! Impossible!

Mildred S.I.

If the bailouts to Wall Street and Bloomberg's brethren were used for education and other services, we could help all these schools improve. Bloomberg is trying once again to make us pay for the crisis and blame the teachers at the same time. the school closings are part of aplan to get rid of experienced teachers, weaken the union and allow private interests to take control over our public education.

Tax the rich, tax Wall street to pay for smaller classes and improvement in education.

Fran

I'm A graduate from the NYC Public school system, and I think Its right to close these failing schools, Whats really Wrong is the curriculum, It was Unengaging and Generic. There is such a thing as a bad teacher, and students should understand that there can be long term consequences to not doing well in school, and the potential of your school being closed is one.

Iseah

Bloomberg is the worst Mayor we have ever had he has destroyed this city by over developing it. Too many people and yet he is trying to bring in more. the city cannot accommodate the influx of new people He's closing schools, fire houses when are the council and the citizens going to realize that the Mayor has no clue how NYC works. He's trying to make this city over and just doesn't no how. He's a American Gangster in the truest form.

Anonymous

Why are the school closing are only in the minority neighborhood ? No Jewish school is in danger. The Mayor is a hater of poor people and children. New Yorkers the Rich only care for the rich.

Doris from Queens.

Schools that won millions of dollars in School Improvement Grants are being closed and the DOE will give the money to other schools in the building. How is taking money away from a school such as Irving and giving it to a totally different school not fraud?

Sean.

My Motto is "tweek it while it's running" I dont see the logic in closing a school to re-open it as another school. Why not make gradual adjustments while it operates until you find the right fit for the kids. I think there are other motives behind the closings because closing does not help the kids.

Basil in Queens.

I am a teacher of many years in a very good, functioning, and vital high school that was a "Transformation" school, but is now a "Turnaround" school.

Here are some of the mandates by the DOE and its highly paid consultants:
> Students decided what they should learn
> Too many board notes... and, then, not enough board notes
> 9th and 10th grades students, including ESL and Special Ed students are to write a 750 word research paper

Should we let this group decide on the lives and futures of students?
Phoebe

The only reason they should close the schools (during summer vacation) is to give them a facelift. Seeing images of schools from around the city makes me realize that they look more like prisons, not schools. Their design and façade is as sad and neglected as it could be. But that really should be the only reason. I come from a country that is a so called "third world" and even there these things are not happening that are possible here in THE RICHEST CITY ...

Melly, Upper East Side

Government, especially NYC government, has abdicated its responsibility for public education. Overcrowded classrooms, no books or materials, lack of resources, privatizing schools and calling them charter schools, no wonder NYC kids don't graduate or if they do they need remedial classes to go to college. Why "close" schools? If they are not doing well, give them the resources they need to do better. kids who have graduated from closed schools have no history to return to, no alma mater. Only the elite can get a good education these days. That's not what it used to be like, and it's not what this country used to be about.

Meryl from manhattan

It it outrageous that the mayor and his puppets are allowed to ruin the basic foundation of public education! How can they ignore the public outrage over closing schools? The mayor has been at this for 10 years and he has failed to make any significant improvements in education. Washington Irving HS is on the list for closure, so why is the DOE still sending students (all high needs) to our school? The PEP is such a farce! The house always wins right? In this case they will, the deck is stacked and no meaningful decisions will ever be made under this type of set up. Dismantle the PEP and get rid of the mayor and the chancellor! Public education has been hijacked and the damage will be felt for years to come. SOS.....Save Our Schools!!!!!!

Pearl, Bronx