East Harlem Principal Apologizes for Survey

MYFOXNY.COM EXCLUSIVE - The principal of an East Harlem public school has apologized for asking teachers to fill out a survey about students' behavior that parents called "racist."

WATCH THE FOX NEWS FOLLOWUP REPORT (VIDEO, LEFT)

Dr. Claudia Moore-Hamilton sent a letter of apology (see below) to the teachers and parents of students at P.S./M.S. 96, saying her intentions were "honorable" but that she realizes that her "approach was inflammatory."

Fox 5 obtained a copy of the survey (see below), which Moore-Hamilton gave to teachers to fill out last month. The survey asked teachers to break down behavioral problems with students based on the following categories: "Black," "Hispanic," or "other."

Moore-Hamilton is black. More than 60 percent of the students at the school are identified as Hispanic.

Parents and at least one local elected official have called for Moore-Hamilton's resignation or dismissal.

The Department of Education is investigating the situation, and the survey "inappropriate."

>WATCH LINDA SCHMIDT'S ORIGINAL REPORT

>READ LINDA'S BLOG AND RESPOND TO THE STORY

The principal, Dr. Claudia Moore-Hamilton , issued this letter after the publication of our original story:

June 2, 2009

Dear Teachers & Parents of P.S./M.S. 96,

Although I believed that my intentions were honorable last month when I distributed a survey to teachers, on reflection I realize that my approach was inflammatory and for that I assume total responsibility. At the time, I imagined that the survey was in keeping with our school's action research objectives and responded to our Quality Review concerns regarding ethnic and gender-specific disaggregated data. Now, I wish to acknowledge that my choice to use this particular tool to analyze behavior trends has created concerns and anxiety that were not intended and I sorely regret its impact on you.

Therefore, kindly accept this letter of apology for any insult to you individually and collectively. In the future I will endeavor to be more mindful of such matters and seek additional consultation for guidance through sensitive issues such as these. I hope that you will accept this letter as a gesture of good will and commit with me to working together to continue to move our school towards greatness.

Sincerely,

Claudia Moore-Hamilton, Ed.D.
Principal

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State Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV sent this letter to Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein:

June 1, 2009

Honorable Michael Bloomberg
Mayor
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Mr. Joel I. Klein
Chancellor
NYC Department of Education
52 Chambers Street
New York, NY 10007

Dear Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein:

I am writing on behalf of the parents at PS96, to request the removal of Principal Dr. Claudia Moore-Hamilton. I have a memo which Dr. Moore-Hamilton distributed to the teachers requesting information describing the children's behavior, which parents and I find illegal and racist.

According to Maria Valle, the PTA president, and many parents at PS96 there are over 300 complaints to 311 with respect to the inappropriate behavior in this school from the principal as well as some of the faculty within the school. For example, most recently it has come to my attention that Dr. Moore-Hamilton is conducting and requiring all teachers to participate in filling-out a disaggregate incident occurrence data survey sheet by class to determine by race which students have disruptive behavior problems (please see attached).

I find this insulting to the general community, parents, and the student body as a whole. To disaggregate the student body by Black, Hispanic and other in a community that is primarily Hispanic and African-American is an insult to this community; in fact it is an insult in any community.

Furthermore, parents have expressed a variety of inappropriate incidences that have occurred with their children. For instance, in December kids were given presents as part of the Holiday Season. Shortly thereafter the principal brought a list of naughty students and proceeded to take away the gifts from the kids on the naughty list. Naturally, the children became deeply saddened and began to cry. This is unacceptable and outright cruel. In another incident, the principal began praying with them for an angel to come to the school because the devil had taken over. This type of behavior should not be tolerated at PS 96 or any other school in our City. Thank you very much for your anticipated cooperation.

Sincerely,

Adam C. Powell
Member of Assembly
68th District