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GIVE UFT CREDIT

Give UFT Credit

To the Editor:

For generations, most Americans assumed with good cause that the United States was destined to lead the world in most areas, especially technology. Math and science are the subjects most associated with this field, yet to our dismay, we are falling behind even nations that in recent history were barely industrialized. Are we at a loss how to re-establish supremacy or at least competitiveness?

Our public education system has the highest-qualified Teachers. But under Chancellor Klein, not only is their dedication not appreciated but their expertise is usually ignored. The Department of Education has severely cut back instruction in science, and allowed a shortage of licensed Math and Science Teachers to develop. These specialists are sorely needed, but inhospitable conditions, particularly in targeted hard-to-staff schools, as well as soaring housing costs in the metropolitan area, deter them and they apply elsewhere, either to higherpaying district or other career options.

As so often happens, the people who are least to blame show the most initiative to solve the problem. The United Federation of Teachers has amended its contract with the Department of Education so that incentives can be offered to certified and experienced teachers in shortage areas.

In exchange for a commitment to at least three years' service in the New York City public schools, rigorously-screened teachers with at least two years' experience will be eligible to participate in the new housing support program. They will receive up to $5,000 to help towards relocation expenses, rental fees, or mortgage payments.

During the first two years of the commitment period, they will receive a housing stipend of $400 per month. Teachers leaving service before their commitment period expires will be required to pay back what they owe the city.

This agreement is a fine example of how even urgent challenges can be successfully addressed when there is collaboration between positive-minded parties. In this case, the prime mover was the UFT.

Reasonable people who have no agenda except a desire to access the truth sometimes suspect that there is in effect a media gag order against letting out news that shows unions in a favorable light. It takes courage and independence to buck the pressures and air real information.

Please continue to give credit where it is due to the United Federation of Teachers and other unions.

RON ISAAC

Editor's note: Mr. Isaac is a Teacher at J.H.S. 189 in Queens.