ACTION ALERT: CONTACT YOUT LEGISLATORS TODAY
The NY State Law that gave the Mayor control of New York Public Schools will sunset in June 2009. We are encouraging ICOPE members and supporters to read the iCOPE Plan and the YRNES Report. We believe these are powerful documents that provide the necessary talking points that must be considered before any legislative action is taken.
You can assist us, now, by contacting your elected representatives (The NYC City Council, The NY State Assembly, The NY State Senate, and the Congressional members of NYS). Call their offices and ask their Field Workers if your elected representative is "satisfied with the progress of New York City Schools under Mayoral Control, if they are supportive of reauthorization of Mayoral Control, or if they want governance modifications." Ask if they are "open to input on this subject." Get the name of the person you talk with, so that you can call back if you don't get an answer in a couple of weeks.
Call your contact persons again and ask for answers to the questions, above. Ask if your elected representative has seen the iCOPE Plan and the YRNES Report. Explain what they are -- the iCOPE Plan was developed through tribunals, conferences and focus groups with parents, students, educators, community activists, dialogue with our partner organizations, and review of background documents about education, human rights and innovative educational practices in the US and abroad. The YRNES Report is a student description of student perceived problems in the NYC Schools, supported by data they collected, and a University Researcher who assisted in the writing of the Report. If they have not seen it, provide them, by email, with the links where they can download the Report and the Problem Tree.
In Washington
The President and Vice President — www.whitehouse.gov
United States Senate — www.senate.gov
House of Representatives — www.house.gov
Your Representative — www.house.gov/writerep
Judicial Branch — www.uscourts.gov
In Albany
Governor — www.state.ny.us/governor
NY State Senate — www.senate.state.ny.us
NY State Assembly — www.assembly.state.ny.us
New York State Home Page — www.state.ny.us
In New York City
Mayor — www.nyc.gov
Public Advocate — www.pubadvocate.nyc.gov
Comptroller — www.comptroller.nyc.gov
City Council — www.council.nyc.gov
