News

NEW YORK, NY April 17, 2007 —Schools Chancellor Joel Klein has selected nine non-profits that can partner with the city schools starting this fall as part of his new restructuring program. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

The news groups that were chosen have all worked with public schools before. They include CUNY and Fordham as well as groups that have experience with high schools and middle schools. Klein says the groups will not manage any of the schools. Instead, they'll provide support services that principals can buy with extra money.

The partnership model is among three different support structures principals can select for the coming school year as the Education Department eliminates the ten regions created by Mayor Bloomberg. Klein says the goal is to let principals select whatever works best for their schools. But the principals union says its members are anxious about the changes, and many parent groups feel left out.

The chancellor says principals will learn more about the changes at a conference next week and he's encouraging them to brief their parent groups. For WNYC, I'm Beth Fertig.