Achievement Gap

Educational Reparations: Black Children Deserve the Same Chance to Succeed as Their White Peers (Part #1)
Blog · Educational Equity · student voices

Educational Reparations: Black Children Deserve the Same Chance to Succeed as Their White Peers (Part #1)

Gregory WickhamLeave a comment

H.R. 40 in Congress and Assembly Bill A2619A in the New York State Legislature, if passed, would establish commissions to investigate and develop a program of reparations to remedy the lasting effects of the enslavement and oppression of Black people in America and New York, respectively. Although neither of these bills have been passed yet… Continue reading Educational Reparations: Black Children Deserve the Same Chance to Succeed as Their White Peers (Part #1)

New Report Asks: Why Does Progressive New York City Have Larger Student Achievement Gaps?
achievement gap · New York City

New Report Asks: Why Does Progressive New York City Have Larger Student Achievement Gaps?

Alina Adams2 Comments

I have a confession to make: I’ve always been confused by New York City calling itself “progressive” when it comes to education. To me, progressive means moving forward, implementing new, bold, downright radical ideas, bucking the status quo and breaking down old – especially failed – systems. Yet when it comes to educational policy, NYC… Continue reading New Report Asks: Why Does Progressive New York City Have Larger Student Achievement Gaps?

The My Brother’s Keeper Movement in New York State and the Audacious Goal of Success for All
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The My Brother’s Keeper Movement in New York State and the Audacious Goal of Success for All

nyschooltalkLeave a comment

                                                              This is a guest post by Dr. Anael Alston, who was born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. “Dr. A” is currently the Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Access, Equity and Community Engagement in the New York State Education Department. “I am…” declared Michael D. Smith. “My Brother’s Keeper!” nearly 500 young men of color… Continue reading The My Brother’s Keeper Movement in New York State and the Audacious Goal of Success for All

Ode to My Son, Christian Hemans, On His College Graduation
Blog · Educational Equity

Ode to My Son, Christian Hemans, On His College Graduation

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

Legacy, legacy, legacy, legacy Black excellence baby, you gon’ let ’em see Legacy, legacy, legacy, legacy Black excellency, baby, let ’em see” Jay-Z, “Legacy” I’m up early this morning and these lyrics by one of the most profoundly impactful rappers of our time takes on a whole new meaning for me and resonates deeply within… Continue reading Ode to My Son, Christian Hemans, On His College Graduation

Can Single Sex Schools Shrink the Achievement Gap?
Blog · Educational Equity

Can Single Sex Schools Shrink the Achievement Gap?

Alina AdamsLeave a comment

(Photo credit: The TMezz Creative Group) Back in October of 2016, I asked: Do Single Sex Schools Hurt Or Help Students? I shared recent research on the subject which, like the majority of educational research, came down to… we’re not sure. In this interview, Janelle Bradshaw, Superintendent of Public Prep Academies, explains what she believes… Continue reading Can Single Sex Schools Shrink the Achievement Gap?

Everything You Need To Know About NYC’s Test Scores
Accountability

Everything You Need To Know About NYC’s Test Scores

Laura WatersLeave a comment

Yesterday the New York City Department of Education released student test scores on standardized test scores. What do they mean? It depends on whom you ask. Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza said this: “These scores are indicative of the sustained progress we have made in classrooms, schools and districts across all five boroughs,” Carranza said in… Continue reading Everything You Need To Know About NYC’s Test Scores

What To Expect When You’re Expecting a New SHSAT Plan (Part #1): The Mayor’s Hidden Agenda
Accountability · Blog · School Choice

What To Expect When You’re Expecting a New SHSAT Plan (Part #1): The Mayor’s Hidden Agenda

Alina AdamsLeave a comment

It’s been a hell of a week. On Saturday, June 2, 2018, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio penned an op-ed, asserting that Our Specialized Schools Have a Diversity Problem. Let’s Fix It. On Sunday, June 3, he announced two initiatives to do so. He vowed to expand the Discovery Program so that 20 percent of… Continue reading What To Expect When You’re Expecting a New SHSAT Plan (Part #1): The Mayor’s Hidden Agenda

Vocational Degrees: Educational Decency or Destruction?
Accountability

Vocational Degrees: Educational Decency or Destruction?

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

It’s June 2nd and for the past few weeks I’ve attended and seen photos and videos of many graduations from Pre-K through graduate school. No matter the grade level, the excitement is always way up there. As a Black woman and educator, graduations of Black students are exceptionally important to me for each graduate who… Continue reading Vocational Degrees: Educational Decency or Destruction?

Black Students, Teachers, and Community Are In A Perpetual State of Emergency.
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Black Students, Teachers, and Community Are In A Perpetual State of Emergency.

Vivett Dukes3 Comments

It’s just about the end of this school year and, as I reflect upon what worked and what didn’t in preparation for next year, I am faced with the unfortunate truth that a lot of my students — my Black students, in particular – are being recommended or mandated to attend summer school. While I’m… Continue reading Black Students, Teachers, and Community Are In A Perpetual State of Emergency.

Paging Ernestine: Long Island Opt-Outers Don’t Care About Standardized Tests Because They Don’t Have To.
Accountability

Paging Ernestine: Long Island Opt-Outers Don’t Care About Standardized Tests Because They Don’t Have To.

Laura WatersLeave a comment

Are you old enough to remember Lily Tomlin’s character Ernestine the telephone operator in the old show “Laugh-In”? This was the era when AT&T was a monopoly — no Sprint or Verizon on the horizon — and Ernestine’s tagline when she answered a call was “We don’t care. We don’t have to.” I thought of… Continue reading Paging Ernestine: Long Island Opt-Outers Don’t Care About Standardized Tests Because They Don’t Have To.