achievement gap · Educational Equity · literacy · NYC Parent Voices · Parents Helping Parents

Is Your Child Learning To Read – Or To Guess?

(This is a guest post by Chad Alderman, NYC dad and the creator of ReadNotGuess.com, a program that sends short email lessons to help parents support and monitor their child’s early reading progress.) My 3rd grade son was reading to me recently when he came to the word “gargoyle.” Except he didn’t read it correctly.… Continue reading Is Your Child Learning To Read – Or To Guess?

Finding the Right School · NYC high school · NYC Kindergarten · NYC middle school · NYC Parent Voices · NYC Schools · Parents Helping Parents

Parents Reveal What It Would Take To Get Them Back Into NYC Public Schools

According to Chalkbeat: Overall, K-12 enrollment has dropped by 9.5% since the pandemic began. Officials are expecting 30,000 fewer K-12 students to be on the rolls this fall compared to last year.  In this most recent school year, three-quarters of schools saw fewer students, a Chalkbeat analysis previously found. Enrollment of Black and white students… Continue reading Parents Reveal What It Would Take To Get Them Back Into NYC Public Schools

admissions · Finding the Right School · Gifted & Talented · NYC high school · NYC Kindergarten · NYC middle school · NYC Parent Voices · NYC School Admissions · Parents Helping Parents · School Choice · screened nyc schools

Plan B: Alternatives For NYC Parents Unhappy With Their Public School 2022 Options

Changes in admissions for New York City public middle and high schools have left many parents on edge, wondering what choices their children will have for September 2022. Meanwhile, the families of younger children are still waiting for word on whether there will even be a Gifted & Talented elementary option moving forward. (Read our… Continue reading Plan B: Alternatives For NYC Parents Unhappy With Their Public School 2022 Options

admissions · homeschooling · NYC high school · NYC Parent Voices · Parents Helping Parents · STEM Education

I Don’t Know Where My Son Is Applying To College: Why That’s (Kind Of) OK With Me

When my oldest son was applying to college five years ago, he kept me posted every step of the way. Mostly because he kept asking for my debit card to pay various application fees. I also read many, many – many! – drafts of his essay, to the point where we still quote excerpts to… Continue reading I Don’t Know Where My Son Is Applying To College: Why That’s (Kind Of) OK With Me

coronavirus · Educational Equity · Hybrid Learning · NYC Election · NYC Parent Voices · NYC Schools Reopening · Parents Helping Parents · remote learning

NYC Parents Speak Up About Remote Learning on Election Day – And On All Future Snow Days

November 2, 2021 was Election Day in New York City. Schools were closed, as many of them were being used as polling places. (However, many a parent did wonder why they weren’t allowed into their child’s school building due to Covid restrictions – but unvaccinated strangers were.) However, instead of the traditional day off, students… Continue reading NYC Parents Speak Up About Remote Learning on Election Day – And On All Future Snow Days

Accountability · NYC high school · NYC Parent Voices · NYC Schools · Parents Helping Parents

“Make Them Show You the Rule”… and Other Tips For Dealing With the NYC School System

My daughter took Algebra 1 in 8th grade. (This despite New York City remaining unsure whether that was a good or a bad thing.) She did not take the Algebra 1 Regents exam, however, due to the pandemic. Her school didn’t offer the exam, and no public school would allow her into the building to… Continue reading “Make Them Show You the Rule”… and Other Tips For Dealing With the NYC School System

achievement gap · arts in schools · coronavirus · Educational Equity · Hybrid Learning · NYC Schools · NYC Schools Reopening · Parents Helping Parents · School Budget · Social-Emotional Learning

Parents Weigh In On How NYC Schools Should Spend Our Federal Relief Money

Last week, Chalkbeat reported: New York City public schools are projected to receive $4.5 billion in federal coronavirus relief, bringing a significant financial boost as education officials plan for the fall… (B)ig questions remain, including how state and city officials will use this new infusion of cash — roughly $4,500 more per student — to… Continue reading Parents Weigh In On How NYC Schools Should Spend Our Federal Relief Money

coronavirus · DOE incompetence · Parents Helping Parents · remote learning

Remote Or Hybrid Instruction? Decisions Due This Week: What NYC Parents Are Planning!

Last week, New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza boasted how public school teachers have been receiving remote instruction training all summer long, and that his Department of Education has been strategizing to reopen schools safely in September since March. "A huge amount of effort has gone into getting our schools ready months and months… Continue reading Remote Or Hybrid Instruction? Decisions Due This Week: What NYC Parents Are Planning!