STATEMENT

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The pandemic forced a critical shift in education, and it's a wake-up call to improve our approach. This disruption presents a valuable opportunity to address longstanding issues in our education system. We've seen chronic underfunding, and our current Department of Education is relatively new, having been established in December 2002. Schools should be hubs that attract and engage students, not just places they end up by default. Let's use this momentum to create a truly dynamic and effective educational system for all our youth.

New York City's Education System: A Story of Evolution and Contestation

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A System Takes Shape: The New York City Board of Education, established in 1842, oversaw a system that evolved over time. The familiar structure of elementary, middle, and high schools solidified around the late 1930s.

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The Fight for Equity: In 1964, a massive student boycott erupted in protest against segregation and poor school conditions. This highlighted a long-standing struggle for educational equity that continues to resonate across generations.

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Decentralization and Reform: In 1969, seeking to address concerns, Mayor Lindsay decentralized the system. A central Board of Education coexisted with elected community school boards managing elementary and middle schools.

 

​Mayoral Control and Beyond: 2002 saw a shift back to centralized control with the Mayor at the helm. The community boards' power lessened, and the Board of Education became the Panel for Educational Policy.

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Power Struggles and Continuity: Political tensions led to a brief return to the pre-2002 structure in 2009. Since then, Mayoral control has been extended through temporary measures.

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The Future: As Mayor Adams term ends, the future of Mayoral control remains uncertain.

New York City Schools: A Snapshot

 

Funding: New York City boasts a substantial education budget of nearly $25 billion for its 1.1 million students. This translates to $19,076 per student, exceeding the national average by a significant margin. However, a portion of this budget, roughly $3 billion, supports non-city schools, including special education programs and charter schools. Additionally, $4.6 billion goes towards pensions and debt.

 

Diversity: The student body reflects the city's rich multicultural tapestry.  40% of students come from homes where English isn't the primary language, highlighting the need for multilingual education resources.

 

Challenges:

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• Poverty: A significant portion (40%) of students live in poverty, demanding a focus on programs that address social and economic needs.
   

• School Diversity: The debate on achieving racial and socioeconomic diversity in admissions continues. The School Diversity Advisory Group proposes using these factors instead of solely academic performance.
   

• Physical Education: Meeting state-mandated physical education requirements remains a challenge. Additionally, some playgrounds have been repurposed for classrooms or parking, limiting recreational space.
   

A Call for Unity: The quote by Justice Thurgood Marshall emphasizes the importance of integrated education.  New York City faces an opportunity to create a learning environment that fosters understanding and respect for diversity.

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Ruben's 3K2PhD Plan: A Summary

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Education for All:

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• Free Education: Ruben proposes free education from preschool (3K) to a doctorate (PhD) for all New York City residents.

• Funding: He suggests redistributing lottery funds to ensure responsible allocation for education.

 

Empowering Schools:

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• Principal Autonomy: Principals would have full control over their schools, including hiring school safety personnel and crossing guards.

• Focus on Civics: The curriculum would emphasize civics education, encouraging public service and voter participation.

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Enriching the Learning Experience:

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• Arts & Athletics: Ruben prioritizes programs in music, art, athletics, and summer jobs programs.

• Multilingual Education: He advocates for expanding bilingual programs based on their success in motivating students.

• STEM Education: Investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs would keep NYC schools competitive.

 

Desegregation Through Teacher Rotation:

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• Randomized Teacher Assignments: To address segregation, Ruben proposes a system of rotating teachers across schools with incentives for participation.

• Dissolving the School Diversity Advisory Group: He believes real change requires a new approach and suggests reallocating their budget to universal childcare and 3K programs.

 

Global Learning and Funding:

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• Remote Learning for International Students: Ruben envisions paid, remote learning options for students worldwide to generate additional revenue for the school system.

 

A Blended Learning Future:

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• Blended Learning Model: In light of the pandemic and its impact on technology adoption, Ruben sees a permanent blended learning model as a solution to segregation, potentially fulfilling Justice Marshall's vision of students learning together.

 

Protecting Students:

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• Safe Learning Environments: He emphasizes the importance of addressing lingering issues like creating safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth and clearing the backlog of Title IX investigations.

 

Strengthening Educational Partnerships:

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• Teacher Support: Ruben highlights the need to strengthen relationships with educators and explore mayoral control's expiration as an opportunity to plan for the future.

 

Holistic Approach to Education:

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• Funding for Social Services: Ruben recognizes the interconnectedness of education with housing, transportation, and health. He proposes continued funding for programs like MetroCards for students and the CUNY Fatherhood Academy.

• Bringing CUNY and MTA Under City Control: He believes local control of CUNY and the MTA would better serve the city's needs.

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Overall, Ruben's 3K2PhD Plan outlines a comprehensive vision for a well-funded, equitable, and inclusive public education system in New York City.