The city's interest in restructuring its shelter system reflects both a growing concern in urban environments over the effects of homelessness on community revitalization and the national attention being given to the negative effect substance abuse and other factors have on the homeless population's prospects. Read the full text of this article. The office of New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall reported last month that state agencies have not been working closely enough with local service districts to ensure that child welfare employees have the training and supervision required by law. A previous audit by the comptroller's office had found that child welfare caseworker caseloads were too high. Read the full text of this article.
Tests are a vehicle for what appears to be a straightforward and well-intentioned policy.
The schools, the argument goes, are not delivering for many children. So we must raise academic standards. Setting clear academic goals and then testing for whether each school has met them for each child will create the necessary pressures for improved performance. Schools whose students meet the standard will be rewarded. Schools that do not deliver will be helped.