This hearing focused on education in New York, including recommendations for corrective actions to improve school governance and management in the areas of custodial services and school bus transportation. The report includes testimony from: Andrew J. Stein, President, New York City Council; Kevin Gill, Executive Director, Division of Support Services, New York City Board of Education; Richard Ahola, Executive Liaison for Central Services, New York State Education Department; Bruce Cooper, Professor of Administration and Public Policy, Fordham University; Jean S. Adilifu, Assistant Executive Superintendent, Newark Board of Education; John Fager, Cochair, Parents Coalition; and Michael Strasser, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Surface Transit Operations, Department of Education. (JLB)

This hearing examines issues related to proposed legislation that would strengthen the capacity of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Research and Improvement to deal with two widespread problems: (1) mismanagement, corruption and waste in non-instructional educational services resulting from the failure of governors, mayors, and school boards to exercise their policymaking and oversight powers; and (2) incompetence and blundering in curriculum development, including multicultural curricula that could improve performance and reduce drop-out in inner city schools. The hearing examines these problems as they occur in New York City. Testimony and prepared statements were received from: Noreen Connell, Executive Director of Educational Priorities Panel; Elizabeth Holtzman, Comptroller, City of New York; Argie K. Johnson, Deputy Chancellor of Instruction, New York City Board of Education; Bob Law, Director, Respect Yourself Youth Organization and Member of the Board, Education of People of African Ancestry; Stanley S. Litow, Deputy Chancellor for Operations, New York City Board of Education; Adelaide Sanford, New York State Regents; Ed Stancik, Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District; Major R. Owens, a Representative in Congress from the State of New York; and Donald M. Payne, a Representative in Congress from the State of New Jersey. (KRN)

This document presents the text of a hearing on violence in U.S. schools. Opening statements and remarks by Representatives Jose E. Serrano , Nita M. Lowey, and Major R. Owens are presented. Serrano's opening statement notes that the focus of the hearing is on the roots and probable causes of violence; prevention through teaching of alternate methods of conflict resolution; and the federal role in providing the necessary assistance to local school districts in the prevention and reduction of school violence. Statements and/or prepared materials by the following persons are included: (1) Honorable David N. Dinkins, Mayor of the City of New York; (2) Joseph Fernandez, Chancellor, New York City Public Schools, Brooklyn, New York; (3) Fernando Ferrer, Bronx Borough President; (4) Arnold Goldstein, Special Education and Rehabilitation, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York; (5) Frank Melia, Principal, Christopher Columbus High School, Bronx, New York; and (6) Rey Ramos, student, and Rafael Toro, teacher, James Monroe High School, Bronx, New York. (ABL)