Garden City Teachers' Association

REFUSE the NYS Assessments

The GCTA encourages parents to REFUSE the NYS Standardized Assessments in grades 3-8 - these assessments serve no educational purpose because the results are not known until after the school year ends, the test questions are kept secret and there is no way to use the tests to help improve your child’s learning. As per Dr. Feirsen's letter to parents on March 9, 2017 (click here for letter) parents who wish to refuse any exam must state so in writing, either by letter or email. Below are three form letters that can be used to provide to your child's principal if you choose to REFUSE any or

Photo of AFT President Randi Weingarten addressing TEACH 2023

The AFT has always been a solutions-driven union, and our new campaign, launched during TEACH on July 21, proves it once again with a fresh, practical approach to strengthening public education. As AFT President Randi Weingarten pointed out during her keynote speech, the $5 million, yearlong campaign, “Real Solutions for Kids and Communities,” stands up against attacks on public schools and offers real-world solutions to build up, rather than break down, our communities.

Thank you for what you do! - NYSUT Member Briefing June 23, 2022

Thank you for all you do!

As the school year draws to a close, all of us at NYSUT want to thank you for your tremendous dedication. It’s been a challenging year — but through it all, you've stood strong and persevered. Over and over, you've shown how public schools are the place where students, parents and educators come together as a community.

U.S. Supreme Court hands down landmark cases

This week, the Supreme Court handed down multiple decisions that will touch the lives of millions of Americans. Earlier this week, in Carson v. Makin, the court laid the groundwork that states must provide publ

Union wins APPR Reprieve - NYSUT Member Briefing - May 13, 2022

Union wins APPR reprieve

Gov. Kathy Hochul Friday signed a bill suspending, for an additional year, the Annual Professional Performance Review process. Advanced through grassroots advocacy from NYSUT members and lobbying by union legislative staff, the bill recently passed both the state Senate and the Assembly.

“As we come to the end of another school year that has been anything but normal, we welcome the governor’s decision to suspend the APPR process for another year,” said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta. “We will continue working with the legislature and the governor to address the APPR