THE ASSEMBLY CcHaIRWAN te STATE OF NEW YORK ‘Committee on Aging ALBANY Commrrees aa Health as sudelay JEFFREY INOWITZ -Asametyan 81° Dstt ‘ene ourty November 10, 2010 David M. Steiner, Commissioner New York State Education Department 89 Washington Avenue Albany, New York 12234 Dear Commissioner Steiner: |am shocked that Mayor Bloomberg has again seen fit to appoint as New York City ‘School Chancellor yet another individual with no educational credentials whatsoever. Ata time when we have learned that most of the alleged progress in recent years in our children’s scores has been illusory because of tests that are too easy and cut-offs that are too low, we must redoubled our efforts to bring the children of New York City up to grade and beyond. Cooking the books may help the reputations of certain elected and appointed officials, but it does nothing to prepare New York City students for the future. I don't doubt for a minute that Cathleen Black is a very talented and competent individual, but | am deeply concerned over the possibility of having another non- educator in the top position al the Department of Education. It's hard to imagine that out of the 300 milion people in the United States there was not one highly qualified individual who actually has education credentials and maybe even a connection to Public schools wno could nave been appointed to this most important position There is so much the DOE needs to do to improve our schools. Being an educator and being a top-notch chief executive are not mutually exclusive, and there’s no rule that I'm aware of that the Chancellor must be a person who has never had children in our public schools. In order for Ms. Black to be eligible to serve she must receive a waiver from State Ed due to her total lack of experience in the education field. | would suggest she attain the necessary experience before she would be considered for Chancellor, therefore | strongly urge you to deny her the waiver. Thank you cc: Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan GIALBANY OFFICE: Room 82%, Legsatve Ofce Buln, Albay, New York 12248 «518485 5065, FAX S18-455-4437 CIDISTRICT OFFICE: 3107 Kngtrge Avenoa, Bronx, Net York 70469 *776780-530, AX 718-76-0806 ‘nowt Gasserbystata ys,