“New York City’s Department of Education recommends schools spend just $80.15 per student on arts education—yet school leaders can use that money for other classes and programs, often resulting in the total elimination of arts programming in a school.”
“Those of us teaching the children of New York City do the work. Not only are we not getting the support we need, but we have leadership that actively works against our interests. This has to change.”
While talent helps, students also need knowledge, expertise and polish to get into dozens of New York City public school arts programs that use auditions and portfolios to screen applicants. Although these schools have largely escaped the rancorous debate over selective admissions policies, they raise many of the same concerns about equity, class and race.
“To most effectively and efficiently address New York City’s mental health challenges, we must focus on our youngest residents and their caregivers.”
“Instead of resetting priorities and learning from experiences during the pandemic, some schools are moving backwards to the pre-pandemic status quo that prevents many students and families from having equal access to educational opportunities.”
El programa “Promise NYC” tiene la intención de ayudar a las familias inmigrantes cuyo estatus migratorio las hace inelegibles para otra asistencia de cuidado infantil financiada por el gobierno federal. Pero el programa que ofreció cuidado subsidiado para 600 niños está programado para terminar en junio. “La verdad no sé qué voy a hacer”, dijo una madre soltera con un hijo de 7 meses que hace parte del programa.
“Unlike other data that reveals key insight on educational improvement—such as student attendance, academic performance, class size and the credentials of teachers and leaders—what curricula is being used in city schools is often unknown, in effect a black box. This makes it difficult to learn or study how curriculum choices and professional learning impact children’s learning.”
Promise NYC was intended to help asylum-seeker families whose immigration status makes them ineligible for other, federally-funded child care assistance. But the program, which offered subsidized care for 600 children, is only slated to continue for the remainder of the school year. “I really don’t know what I’m going to do,” said one participant with a 7-month-old son.
“CUNY matters, education matters, youth voices matters. We already are worrying about the climate crisis, systemic racism, homophobic and transphobic policies, and more. Please take one thing to worry about off of our list.”
“In New York, poverty wages and lack of healthcare access reduce the availability of child care for families and lead to high turnover, destabilizing the lives of young children when they need continuity the most to thrive.”
City Limits uses investigative journalism through the prism of New York City to identify urban problems, examine their causes, explore solutions, and equip communities to take action.
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