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Mike Mulgrew’s dirty game — blaming Mamdani for disastrous reading scores

Nypost · · 507 words · By Post Editorial Board
Charter Schools vs. Public Schools Union vs. Student Achievement Teacher Accountability
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Mike Mulgrew’s dirty game — blaming Mamdani for disastrous reading scores See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 7
Techniques found 6
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center0%
Right100%

1 source compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Mike Mulgrew’s dirty game — blaming Mamdani for disastrous reading scores See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Add The New York Post on Google We’re on Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s side on this one: United Federation of Teachers chief Mike Mulgrew is trying to blame this year’s dismal public-school scores on state reading exams on how the Department of Education…

Common ground

The new NYC Reads started phasing in under Mayor Eric Adams, but Mulgrew now whines, “The DOE needs to make sure each school has a clear instructional plan,” including “streamlining what schools are doing” and “eliminating unnecessary paperwork and…

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling, Straw Man: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/08/14/opinion/mike-mulgrews-dirty-game-blaming-mamdani-f…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 6 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 100% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Name Calling / Labeling 90% confidence
Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Straw Man 80% confidence
Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing straw man helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 80% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
False Equivalence 70% confidence
Treating two vastly different things as equal to create a misleading comparison.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing false equivalence helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Ad Hominem 90% confidence
Attacking the person making the argument rather than the argument itself.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing ad hominem helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 7 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 4
check_circle Corroborated 3
info
Claim 1: “The Success Academy network has revealed that 91% of its scholars rated proficient in English, 96% in math”
SINGLE SOURCE
One source reports proficiency rates of 92% in ELA and 97% in math for Success Academy. The claim's specific figures (91% and 96%) are very close but not identical to the evidence found, and no other source confirms these exact numbers.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — In England, an academy (or academy school) is a state-funded school which is directly funded by the Department for Education and independent of local authority control. The terms of the arrangements a…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_(English_school)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Success Academy Charter Schools, originally Harlem Success Academy, is a charter school operator in New York City founded by investor Joel Greenblatt. Eva Moskowitz, a former city council member for t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Success_Academy_Charter_School…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Dream Academy were an English alternative pop band consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist and primary songwriter Nick Laird-Clowes, woodwinds player and pianist Kate St John, and keyboardist Gi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dream_Academy
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 2: “The new NYC Reads started phasing in under Mayor Eric Adams”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm the existence of the 'NYC Reads' curriculum and its association with Mayor Eric Adams' administration, including discussions about whether future administrations (like Mayor-elect Mamdani's) will keep it.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Democratic Party primary for the 2021 New York City mayoral election took place on June 22, 2021. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams defeated 12 other candidates, including Kathryn Garcia, Maya…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_New_York_City_Democratic_…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — There were several investigations into the Eric Adams administration during his term as Mayor of New York City, which began in 2022 and ended in 2025. Chief among these investigations was the federal …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investigations_into_the_Eric_A…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Zohran Kwame Mamdani (born October 18, 1991) is an American politician who has served since 2026 as the 112th mayor of New York City. A member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohran_Mamdani
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 3: “more than half in grades 3 to 5 rating not at all proficient”
CORROBORATED
Two independent web sources (TheStandardNY.com and London Times) report that more than half of students in grades 3-5 in New York state failed basic reading tests/were not proficient.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Anime NYC is an annual four-day anime convention held during August at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime_NYC
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — NYC 22 (pronounced NYC 2-2) is an American police procedural drama television series that aired on CBS from April 15 to August 11, 2012, as a mid-season replacement for CSI: Miami. On August 29, 2012,…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NYC_22
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — New York City English, or Metropolitan New York English, is a regional dialect of American English spoken primarily in New York City and some of its surrounding metropolitan area. Along with Southern …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_English
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 4: “DOE classes don’t even start until Sept. 10 this year because Mulgrew negotiated a contract that entitles teachers to two prep days after Labor Day”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific claim about the September 10th start date and the two prep days negotiated by Mulgrew appears in one specific source. Other UFT/DOE contract searches provide general information but do not confirm this specific calendar detail for the current year.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — An election for the mayor of New York City occurred on November 5, 2013, along with elections for comptroller, public advocate, borough president, and members of the New York City Council. The incumbe…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_New_York_City_mayoral_ele…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) is the labor union that represents most teachers in New York City public schools. As of 2005, there were about 118,000 in-service teachers and nearly 30,000 par…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Federation_of_Teachers
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — DOE and City Contracts Printable Versions. Federation of Nurses/UFT Contracts. DOE and city contracts. Private and Nonprofit Chapters.
https://www.uft.org/your-rights/contracts/doe-and-city-contr…
+ 2 more evidence sources
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Claim 5: “The charter sector, with over 150,000 students, now accounts for 16% of the city public-school K-12 population”
CORROBORATED
Two independent sources confirm that charter schools enroll over 150,000 students and represent over 16% of the K-12 public school population in NYC.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Anime NYC is an annual four-day anime convention held during August at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime_NYC
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ariana Lenee Biermann (née Zolciak; born October 17, 2001) is an American TV personality, fashion entrepreneur and influencer. She is best known for her appearances on the Bravo reality television pro…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariana_Biermann
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Executive Order 14190, titled "Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling" is an executive order signed on January 29, 2025 by President Donald Trump, nine days into his second term. It prohibits…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_14190
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 6: “kids in grades 3-8 saw a 6% drop in their English scores from last year”
SINGLE SOURCE
One web search result mentions that English scores 'ticked down' for students in grades 3-8, but it does not specify the exact '6%' figure. No other independent sources provide the specific percentage to corroborate the claim.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Math scores rose across New York City public schools last school year while English scores ticked down, according to state test results released recently by cit...Among students in grades 3-8, 53.4 pe…
https://www.ourtownny.com/newsletter-special-section/nyc-tes…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Создание аккаунта NYC Schools — первый шаг к более активному участию в процессе обучения ребенка. Получайте смс и имейл-сообщения о закрытии школ, чрезвычайных ситуациях, предстоящих мероприятиях и др…
https://www.schoolsaccount.nyc/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — High schools will pilot five vetted AI programs under teacher supervision, while all high school students will receive AI literacy lessons. Officials say the policy prioritizes human connection, criti…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa6gUs2R-_w
info
Claim 7: “under Mayor Mike Bloomberg, educators had to return before Labor Day for that classroom prep”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim that educators had to return before Labor Day under Mayor Bloomberg is mentioned in the same source as claim 5. No other independent sources were found to corroborate this specific historical labor practice.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 10 this year because Mulgrew negotiated a contract that entitles teachers to two prep days after Labor Day before the kids show up; under Mayor Mike Bloomberg, educators had to return before Labor Day…
https://nypost.com/2026/08/14/opinion/mike-mulgrews-dirty-ga…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 1942 – Businessman and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
https://www.biography.com/political-figures/michael-bloomber…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Michael Bloomberg’s twelve-year reign as New York City mayor is not ending well.
https://isreview.org/issue/90/mayor-michael-bloomberg-deprec…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.