Talk Out of School

PEP Member Tom Sheppard and Board of Regents Member Kathleen Cashin on Education Policy, Testing, and Class Size

Episode Summary

Leonie spoke with Tom Sheppard about his role as the Panel for Educational Policy's only member selected by parents, and how he would like to push the envelope so the PEP has a real role in formulating educational policies on school closures, mergers, testing and class size, among other issues, rather than just approving the DOE’s decisions once they’ve already been made. Leonie then interviewed Kathleen Cashin of the NY State Board of Regents, about her experiences as a Superintendent and Regional Superintendent in Brooklyn and Queens, and what happened when she lowered class size in her schools.

Episode Notes

Resources:

• Panel for Educational Policy agenda for May 18 meeting and contract list; instructions on how to listen or comment here.
• Daily News article on proposed closure of PS 88 in the Bronx.
• NY Times 2006 profile of Kathleen Cashin and her work as a Superintendent and Regional Superintendent.
• Regent Cashin’s op-ed on what happened in her schools when class size was reduced.