When Mayor Michael Bloomberg took office, one of his top priorities was to repair the city’s ailing public schools. The state gave him control of the school system five years ago and must soon decide whether to extend that power to future administrations. Are the schools more accountable today? Are students and teachers more successful? Are parents more fully engaged? Are principals more effective? What is the track record of mayoral control—and should it continue after 2009?

On Thursday, March 6, Joel Klein, Chancellor, New York City Department of Education, and other top administrators will address these issues. Samuel G. Freedman, columnist, On Education, New York Times, and professor, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, will serve as moderator. Speakers will include Christopher D. Cerf, Deputy Chancellor for Organizational Strategy, Human Capital and External Relations, New York City Department of Education; Carmen Colon, Executive Director, Association of New York City Education Councils; Ernest A. Logan, President, New York City Council of School Supervisors and Administrators; Alan Maisel, Member, New York State Assembly (D-Brooklyn); and Merryl Tisch, Vice Chancellor, New York State Board of Regents.

The event will take place from 8:15 to 10:30 a.m. in Tishman Auditorium, Johnson/Kaplan Hall, 66 West 12th Street. Admission is free, but you must reserve a seat.

This event is sponsored by the Milano Foundation and the Sirus Fund.