The Brian Lehrer Show

Some critics of the SAT argue that GPA is a better predictor of a student's success in college than a standardized test. After last week's news about changes to the SAT (and as families get their high school acceptance notices this week), Eric Hoover, senior writer for the Chronicle of Higher Education, explains how students from different high schools are evaluated, and how much the SAT really matters anyway.

Ami Ayalon, former commander of the Israeli Navy and former director of the security service Shin Bet, explains why he supports a two-state solution and what role American Jews have in the resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

As New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio continue to fight over how universal pre-k will be paid for, the Governor told Brian Lehrer that his plan to fund statewide programs through the normal budget process is the only viable approach. Saying that he's in touch with mayors throughout the state, Cuomo reiterated that "whatever they need, we have the funding ready." In response to de Blasio's contention that a dedicated New York City tax on the wealthy would be the only way to guarantee continued funding, Cuomo said, "There's nothing more certain about a tax than a normal budget bill." The Governor said once pre-k is part of the budget process its funding would be similar to any other school grade — and "once you start funding a grade" it's virtually impossible to stop. When asked about the number of seats he thinks the budget process could accommodate in New York City and elsewhere, Cuomo did not offer specifics but said there would be sufficient funds. "As quickly as cities bring it on line, we will fund it. Whatever they need, we have the funding ready," said the Governor. More highlights from the interview embedded below. Cuomo says that a pre-K tax wouldn't necessarily last 5 years -- "there's nothing more certain about a tax than a normal budget bill." — Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) March 10, 2014 "Forget the numbers... we will fund the need" says Cuomo on pre-K. "As quickly as cities bring it on line, we will fund it." — Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) March 10, 2014 Cuomo says that a pre-K tax wouldn't necessarily last 5 years -- "there's nothing more certain about a tax than a normal budget bill." — Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) March 10, 2014 "I do not have a concern that the charter school mov't is a threat to normal public school" @NYGovCuomo tells @BrianLehrer — Brigid Bergin (@brigidbergin) March 10, 2014 "The chairman of the Port Authority is an appointee of the governor of New Jersey..." says @NYGovCuomo when asked about Sampson. (1/2) — Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) March 10, 2014 (2/2) On whether Sampson should resign + why he's not taken stance, Cuomo: "He (Christie) is the appropriate person to make that decision." — Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) March 10, 2014

Judy Chicago, artist, creator of The Dinner Party, now a permanent installation at the Brooklyn Museum, teacher and author of Institutional Time: A Critique of Studio Art Education (The Monacelli Press, 2014), shares the story of her own arts education and critiques that of today, finding persistent problems as well as ways to fix them.

Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist with the American Museum of Natural History and author of the book The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet, talks about the reboot of the show originally hosted by Carl Sagan, and takes your questions about astrophysics and news from the universe. In WNYC Studio 2: @neiltyson! Call in to ask him anything about space and more 212-433-9692 pic.twitter.com/v8j3ZjN9nd — Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) March 10, 2014

Gideon Rose, editor of Foreign Affairs magazine and author of the book How Wars End: Why We Always Fight the Last Battle, discusses the latest on the crisis in Ukraine, particularly on the different votes and decisions about the future of Crimea, and takes your calls on how and why borders should change.

Yesterday in lower Manhattan, 30,000 (organizers say 50,000) Haredi Jews gathered to protest an Israeli government proposal to remove the exemption ultra-Orthodox have from military service. Jane Eisner, editor of the Jewish Daily Forward, discusses the protest and the larger context of the ultra-Orthodox in Israel and the US today. Dude taking a selfie at the #nyatzeres (photo by @ykatzstudios) pic.twitter.com/AhWcLGXFXv — Jacob Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) March 10, 2014 "We heard there was kugel!" pic.twitter.com/CqTSgFfflx — Yair Rosenberg (@Yair_Rosenberg) March 9, 2014 Great photo of ppl squashed together on train on way to #nyatzeres pic.twitter.com/wrWYpDfMYi — Jacob Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) March 9, 2014 Literally right outside my office! Well organized religious service and protest. #Israel #NYC http://t.co/hGQzb8ggaB pic.twitter.com/fTwnVjmyvn — Tariq Nisar Ahmed (@tariqnisarahmed) March 9, 2014

Brigid Bergin, City hall and politics reporter at WNYC, and Ken Lovett, Albany bureau chief for The Daily News, round up the local city news - from universal pre-k and the charter school debate to the mayor's relationship with Governor Cuomo and other news out of Albany.

Privacy Debate (First) | Ukraine Context (Starts at 35:00) | Disabilities Film Festival (Starts at 1:00:00) We're trying something new on the Brian Lehrer Show -- three of our favorite segments from the week, edited together to listen to on the weekend, in case you missed them. If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.

Since the de Blasio administration's withdrawal of permission for 3 of 49 charter schools under review to co-locate with public schools, charges of playing politics with children's educations have flown on both sides of the debate. Beth Fertig, contributing editor for education at WNYC and Schoolbook.org, and Robert Lewis, WNYC investigative reporter, talk about this battle over education and the money behind some of the protests.

It's time for another installment in our open-phones series "The Explanatarium" -- where you get one minute to explain something to your fellow WNYC listeners. Do you just "get" something most other people find complicated? Have you done the research and figured things out? If you think you can explain something complicated or often misunderstood - in 60 seconds or less - call in and enlighten us. In previous installments (listen below) listeners have explained the difference between incandescent and halogen light bulbs; common misconceptions about the Protestant reformation; and how subway air conditioning works. If you can explain something - anything - clearly and simply, call 212-433-9692 or post below. No heavy opinion, no political rants, just compelling information and succinct clarification.

Melanie Notkin, founder of Savvy Auntie and the author of Otherhood: Modern Women Finding A New Kind of Happiness (Seal Press, 2014), coins the word "otherhood" to define and offer encouragement to a demographic of single women like herself who are childfree, but not necessarily by choice.

New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito traveled to Albany earlier this week with 35 agenda priorities, and one of them was instant runoff voting. She and other supporters want to abolish expensive runoff elections and instead have voters rank their preferences. Dick Dadey, executive director of Citizens Union, explains why he supports the policy, and whether it could become reality. Plus: a roundup of other changes to rules and operations in the City Council, and the latest on Bill de Blasio, who was in Chicago yesterday at a meeting of big-city mayors, while poll numbers back in New York City show only a 39% approval rating for the new mayor.

Scott Mayerowitz, airlines reporter for the Associated Press, talks about Delta's change to its "frequent flyer" program to reward money spent instead of distance traveled and United's crackdown on carry-on luggage.

The College Board has announced some major changes to the structure, scoring, and content of the SAT. Cyndie Schmeiser, Chief of Assessments for the College Board, explains the new changes, and what prompted them. Key Changes to the SAT Back to 1600 points (instead of 2400) No more 'SAT words'; the vocabulary will instead focus on words students "use consistently" The essay is optional A different scoring system that gives points for correct answers instead of penalizing for wrong answers "The math section will draw from fewer topics" The College Board is partnering with Khan Academy to create free test prep for the redesigned test