BY BEN CHAPMAN
The state’s top education officials ripped a controversial plan Wednesday to allow charter schools to certify their own teachers.
The State University of New York Charter School Institute is currently considering the switch backed by charters which, like traditional public schools, must currently employ teachers certified by the state.
If SUNY approves the change, charter schools it oversees will be able to mint their own instructors.
State Education Chancellor Betty Rosa and Commissioner Mary Ellen Elia say that is a terrible idea.
“I think it’s insulting,” said Rosa “I think it’s a way that we send out a message that this is less-than. It is not. This is a very honorable, noble profession that deserves better.”
“I could go into a fast food restaurant and get more training than that,” Ellia said. “Think about what you would do. Would you put your children there?”
SUNY Charter Schools Committee chair Joseph Belluck said that SUNY is proud of its charter schools and the status quo protected by Rosa and Elia isn’t working.
