Excerpt: The debate in Albany over whether to renew the landmark law giving New York City’s mayor control of its public school system, which serves 1.1 million children and is the nation’s largest, is being watched closely by politicians, educators, policymakers and parents throughout the country. The notion that urban school systems will improve only if their mayors are fully in charge, and fully accountable, has gained momentum in recent years, garnering support from the Obama administration.
