Category: Uncategorized

Mamdani Says He Would Phase Out N.Y.C. Gifted Program for Early Grades

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic frontrunner for New York City mayor, has announced his plan to phase out the city’s gifted and talented program for kindergarteners, reviving a proposal first floated under Mayor de Blasio. The program, which enrolls fewer than 5 percent of students in kindergarten, has long been criticized for deepening segregation and limiting … Continue reading Mamdani Says He Would Phase Out N.Y.C. Gifted Program for Early Grades

The Charter School Pressuring Teachers to Get Involved In Politics

Success Academy and other charter networks pressured teachers, parents, and students to attend a pro-charter rally in New York City, even requiring staff to prove they had lobbied elected officials. Educators described an atmosphere of coercion and intimidation, where opting out could jeopardize their jobs. AQE’s Co-Executive Director Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari underscored that forcing families into … Continue reading The Charter School Pressuring Teachers to Get Involved In Politics

Keep Our Kids In Their Classrooms, Not Out!

Too many students in New York are losing classroom time to suspensions that do little to address behavior and instead push young people further to the margins. These policies hit hardest on Black and Latinx students, immigrant youth, LGBTQIA+ students, and students with disabilities – feeding the school-to-prison pipeline and deepening inequities. The Judith S. … Continue reading Keep Our Kids In Their Classrooms, Not Out!

Policy to reduce suspensions for Buffalo’s youngest learners applauded by community advocates

Buffalo’s new suspension policy marks a major win for Black, brown, immigrant, disabled, and lower-income students, making it much harder to suspend children in pre-K through the third grade and requiring supportive interventions before suspension can even be considered. This change will help protect young learners from being pushed out of classrooms for developmentally normal … Continue reading Policy to reduce suspensions for Buffalo’s youngest learners applauded by community advocates

Fewer Black and Latino students win offers to attend specialized high schools

New admissions data released late last Thursday, July 31, shows that New York City’s specialized high schools continue to enroll disproportionately few Black and Latino students, deepening concerns about segregation. Advocates called the worsening numbers a reflection of the city’s lack of commitment to addressing school segregation and urged serious, systemic action. Despite past criticism … Continue reading Fewer Black and Latino students win offers to attend specialized high schools

NYC’s highly anticipated high school admissions data faces lengthy delay

New York City’s Education Department is facing criticism for delaying the release of high school admissions data, breaking a decade-long practice of sharing it by mid-June. The data, especially for the city’s elite but highly segregated specialized high schools, often sparks public debate. Advocates and former officials have questioned the delay, with some suspecting political … Continue reading NYC’s highly anticipated high school admissions data faces lengthy delay