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Teachers eager to step into a New York City classroom will now
have to submit an essay with their job application, according to the Daily News. This information was revealed at a “contentious” New York City Council hearing on retention and recruitment yesterday.

New York school officials say the essay requirement will weed out unqualified applicants by assessing communication and writing skills and give principals more information about prospective teachers. Applicants will have to react to a hypothetical teaching situation and write about their strengths, weaknesses, and interests. The writing requirement for teachers follows on the heels of a new and rigorous test for aspiring principals.

UFT President Randi Weingarten’s response was mixed: “We believe in high standards for new teachers and having an essay component as part of what new teachers ought to be able to do sounds at first blush like a good idea.” But she also said, “It very much depends on the implementation.”