College and Career Readiness

Equity Now, Not Later: A South Brooklyn Student on the Need for Urgency Around College Readiness.
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Equity Now, Not Later: A South Brooklyn Student on the Need for Urgency Around College Readiness.

Laura WatersLeave a comment

This is a guest post by Daniel Bromberg, a senior at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Originally from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Daniel is passionate about economic justice and equitable education practices. He welcomes any comments or questions and can be reached at [email protected]  I grew up in South Brooklyn and attended public… Continue reading Equity Now, Not Later: A South Brooklyn Student on the Need for Urgency Around College Readiness.

Who’s the Boss? Should Kids Be In Charge Of Their Own Education?
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Who’s the Boss? Should Kids Be In Charge Of Their Own Education?

Alina AdamsLeave a comment

A year ago, I wrote about Letting My 14 Year Old Make His Own Educational Decisions in choosing which high school he’d go to. I did it. It wasn’t easy. But I did it. The problem with high school is that my middle child never wanted to go in the first place. He wanted to go… Continue reading Who’s the Boss? Should Kids Be In Charge Of Their Own Education?

The Mismatch Between Prison Education and Actual Employment: A Real Life Account.
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The Mismatch Between Prison Education and Actual Employment: A Real Life Account.

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

It’s been six months since John has been home and the question that most people ask about his reentry focuses on whether or not he’s found a job. That’s telling in and of itself but that’s another post for another day. For John, securing employment once home from prison has always been of the utmost… Continue reading The Mismatch Between Prison Education and Actual Employment: A Real Life Account.

Dear Mayor de Blasio: You Can’t Have Quality Educational Opportunities and Cap School Choice.
Blog · School Choice

Dear Mayor de Blasio: You Can’t Have Quality Educational Opportunities and Cap School Choice.

nyschooltalkLeave a comment

This is a guest post by Zachary Wright, a national finalist for the United States Department of Education’s School Ambassador Fellowship and 2013 Philadelphia Teacher of the Year. Now he is an assistant professor of practice at Relay Graduate School of Education serving Philadelphia and Camden. Prior to that, he was the 12th-grade world literature… Continue reading Dear Mayor de Blasio: You Can’t Have Quality Educational Opportunities and Cap School Choice.

The Privilege (and Cost) Of Being “Well-Rounded.”
Accountability · Blog · Finding the Right School

The Privilege (and Cost) Of Being “Well-Rounded.”

Alina AdamsLeave a comment

About a year ago, I asked: Is an ‘Unenriched’ Spring Break Worth Living? I confessed that, despite offers flooding my inbox to sign my kids up for coding camp or a writing workshop or test prep, I was tired. So, over Spring Break, we did… nothing. In New York City, admitting you let a child… Continue reading The Privilege (and Cost) Of Being “Well-Rounded.”

Sometimes College Isn’t the Best Choice For My Students — And I Couldn’t Be More Proud
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Sometimes College Isn’t the Best Choice For My Students — And I Couldn’t Be More Proud

Glenn Mason1 Comment

“Did you guys hear? Benny broke his leg!” “Praised be, Benny broke his leg!” “Whew. I’m sure glad to hear that.” The news went through school like a whirlwind amongst the staff. Now, who would be happy that someone broke their leg? Teachers! You see, Benny was our former student, working a job at the… Continue reading Sometimes College Isn’t the Best Choice For My Students — And I Couldn’t Be More Proud

Should New York Require Algebra 2 For Graduation? Answers from a NYC High School Student
Accountability · Blog

Should New York Require Algebra 2 For Graduation? Answers from a NYC High School Student

Gregory WickhamLeave a comment

New York City students completed taking their Regents exams last week, which led to a rather spirited discussion between my high school freshman and me as to whether Algebra 2, which my son passed at the end of 8th grade, should continue to be a graduation requirement or whether New York should get rid of… Continue reading Should New York Require Algebra 2 For Graduation? Answers from a NYC High School Student

When NOT Listening To Your Teacher Is The Right Thing To Do: The Christopher Lawrence Story
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When NOT Listening To Your Teacher Is The Right Thing To Do: The Christopher Lawrence Story

Guest Blogger (via Vivett Dukes)Leave a comment

As an educator, I never truly know the impact that I will have on my students. I just do my best; that’s my standard.  I am concerned, however, and for good reason, that all educators are not doing their best. Consider Christopher Lawrence, who grew up in South Jamaica, is currently a senior at Forest… Continue reading When NOT Listening To Your Teacher Is The Right Thing To Do: The Christopher Lawrence Story

What Does Airing The Louisiana Landry School’s Dirty Laundry Mean For The Rest Of Us?
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What Does Airing The Louisiana Landry School’s Dirty Laundry Mean For The Rest Of Us?

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

The narrative earned Mr. Sassau acceptance to St. John’s University in New York. There was one problem: None of it was true. “I was just a small piece in a whole fathom of lies,” Mr. Sassau said. I read this statement in in the New York Times when a colleague sent it to me and I… Continue reading What Does Airing The Louisiana Landry School’s Dirty Laundry Mean For The Rest Of Us?

Will Changing Admission to Specialized High Schools Change Specialized High Schools? How Do We Find Out?
Finding the Right School

Will Changing Admission to Specialized High Schools Change Specialized High Schools? How Do We Find Out?

Alina AdamsLeave a comment

This past weekend, 30,000 New York City 8th graders took the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) in hope of being among the 4,000 students accepted to one of the eight schools which use the SHSAT as its sole qualifying measure. This year, twenty percent of seats at every school are being set aside as… Continue reading Will Changing Admission to Specialized High Schools Change Specialized High Schools? How Do We Find Out?