UFT Supports Weprin Against Klein, N.Y. Post

A few weeks ago, Assemblyman Mark Weprin made some enemies in City Hall when he criticized high-stakes testing in public schools. Schools Chancellor Joel Klein disagreed. Michael Bloomberg went a bit further, blasting Weprin during his weekly radio show. (The two sort of buried the hatchet later).

Then the New York Post wrote this unflattering editorial about him.

Now, the United Federation of Teachers is getting into the mix.

A reader sent along an email that indicates the union is backing Weprin’s position, noting that the legislator “confronted” Klein on the issue, thus “engendering the wrath of the New York Post.”

And the wrath of that publication, as any number of elected officials can tell you, isn’t something to be taken lightly.

Here is the email:

-----Original Message-----
*From:* Angela Berry
*Sent:* Thursday, February 14, 2008 2:26 PM
*To:* Barbara Silberman; Deidre McFadyen
*Subject:* Mark Weprin reso

February 6, 2008 DA

Motion: To add the following to this month’s agenda:

Resolved, that the UFT expresses its appreciation to New York State
Assemblyman Mark Weprin, who as a Queens legislator and father of
children in the New York City public schools, confronted Chancellor Joel
Klein over the issue of over-testing on children, thereby engendering
the wrath of the New York Post.

_Carried_

*Angela Berry*

*Administrative Assistant *

*UFT Director of Staff's Office*