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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A teachers union is criticizing charter schools for taking children out of the classroom to rally at the state Capitol this week.
The New York State United Teachers wrote to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state education officials expressing concern about Success Academy Charter Schools' plans to bring students to Albany for Wednesday's pro-charter rally.
Some 8,000 students, parents and teachers are expected to participate in the event, which comes as Cuomo and the teachers union spar over his proposals to allow more charters and overhaul the teacher evaluation system.
Union President Karen Magee said Monday that she's not sure what educational value students will get out of what she considers a political event.
"They claim they will have teachers standing in the aisles of the buses as they drive up here at 70 mph," she said. "This is strictly political. What's the civics lesson here?"
A spokesman for the rally's organizer declined to comment. A message left with Success Academy was not immediately returned Monday.
The union held its own rally Monday afternoon, bringing hundreds of teachers to the Capitol to protest Cuomo's proposals. The Democratic governor wants to allow more charter schools, overhaul teacher tenure rules and change the way teachers are evaluated.
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