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Education Archive:

When Making a Great Teacher is a Team Effort

March 05, 2012 — The recent release of teacher data reports has highlighted flaws in the evaluation system and has a number of educators focused on how to improve performance rather than on punishment.

City Warns Against For-Profit Adult Education Scams

January 31, 2012 — A city-wide campaign warms New Yorkers away from for-profit education scams that can leave students in debt and without a job.

Cuomo Tries Out a New Role -- the Education Governor

January 17, 2012 — Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he wants to be an advocate for students. What does his new-found focus on education policy mean for the city?

Parental Involvement is Formula for Success in Brooklyn Schools

December 14, 2011 — Parents used to forge documents to get their kids out of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill schools. Now they are forging them to get their kids in.

To Help All Children Read, First do the Math

October 19, 2011 — The City should focus on helping students with reading disabilities says Susan Crawford in this commentary

Gates' Agenda and Money Shape City Schools

October 13, 2011 — The Gates Foundation has poured billions into U.S. schools, setting the education agenda and giving the Gateses enormous control over what goes on in New York City classrooms.

Sex Education in the City

October 05, 2011 — High rates of AIDS and sexually transmitted infections prompted officials to once again require sex education classes. What does the city mandate do and does it do enough?

New York's Pushout Crisis: Why Students Don't Graduate

September 27, 2011 — City schools suspend thousands of students a year, sparking a chain of events that compels many teenagers to give up on school. Three advocates argue New York must find a better way.

Tuition Hikes, Aid Cuts Threaten to Put CUNY Out of Reach

August 03, 2011 — Increases in tuition and cuts in financial aid may put City University, long a road to the middle class, out of reach for low-income New Yorkers. Part of our series on poverty.

For Parents Seeking School Choice, Boundaries Don't Apply

June 22, 2011 — Disgruntled parents across their city have taken school choice into their own hands, falsifying records and essentially lying to improve their children's educational options.

Plans to Boost Two-Year Colleges Fall Victim to Budget Cuts

April 13, 2011 — Two years ago, Mayor Bloomberg promised to boost community colleges as a door to the middle class. Now, critics say that effort has faltered because of budget cuts.

As School Suspensions Soar, Many Seek a Different Approach

April 01, 2011 — As school suspensions soar, even some elementary schools kids are barred from class. The city says the policies keep classrooms safe, but critics want to see a different approach.

Education Department Slashes Plans for Building More Schools

March 18, 2011 — The construction plan just released by the city dramatically scales back last year's proposal, reducing the number of new schools and places for students.

With IBM's Help, New School Hopes to Groom Students for Tech Jobs

March 16, 2011 — A new grade 9-14 school in Paul Robeson High School, launched with corporate support, will face challenges as it seeks to train students for technology careers.

City Students Fall Short in Science

March 10, 2011 — With the city hoping to attract more cutting edge industries, a number of signs indicate city students may not have the skills to fill the new jobs.

Ms. Black Goes to Albany

February 16, 2011 — After weeks of preparation the chancellor stood up to questioning by the legislature. But her day in Albany did little to resolve big issues such as school funding and teacher layoffs

With More School Closings, Debate About Policy Continues

January 31, 2011 — With the city set to move ahead on shutting more schools this week, the debate about whether the strategy helps struggling students or neglects them grows increasingly heated.

Assignments for the New Chancellor

November 15, 2010 — Whatever one thinks of Cathleen Black, she will find a lot to do at Tweed. Education experts and activists offer their to-do lists for the chancellor-designee.

City Schools Gamble on Going Digital

September 18, 2010 — The city is betting on technology to fundamentally change education and prepare kids for today's world. Our in-depth report looks at the promise and the pitfalls.

Libraries 'Biggest Loser' in City Budget

June 09, 2010 — New York's libraries face the most severe cuts in their history. If City Council approves the mayor's budget, branches will close and hundreds of workers will lose their jobs.

Poor Preparation, Confusion Lead Many to Fail GED Test

May 18, 2010 — More than half the people who take the city's high school equivalency test fail it, and proposed state cuts could further harm a system widely seen as chaotic.

Budget Cuts Threaten Dozens of After-School Programs

May 05, 2010 — The mayor's budget would close 33 after-school programs serving thousands of children, leaving kids home alone and parents scrambling to find childcare.

A Harlem Middle School Bets on Technology

April 26, 2010 — A Harlem middle school stands on the frontlines of using technology to engage students. With the city hoping to expand this program to 81 schools, Andrea Gabor visits Global Tech.

Helping All Students Get a Meaningful Diploma

March 18, 2010 — Now that city graduation rates are at an all-time high, will tougher requirements change that? A teacher suggests how to help students finish school with a diploma that means something.

Charter Schools Enter Uncharted Waters

February 18, 2010 — The administration's push to expand the number of charter schools has ignited bitter fights over real estate, power and jobs. A look at what's at stake for the city and its children.

Latest Round of School Closings Sparks Heated Opposition

January 25, 2010 — Standing in front of a crowd at Abyssinian Baptist Church, Danisha Williams spoke about how she had continued on after losing her mother and father.

School Holiday Issue Sends Muslims to City Hall

November 23, 2009 — With about 100,000 Muslim students, the city schools are coming under increasing pressure from newly organized Muslim parents to cancel classes on Islam's holiest days in Islam.

Seven Years of Mayoral Control

November 03, 2009 — No one can deny the mayor has made big changes in the New York City school system but debate still swirls around how effective his policies have been.

Colleges Prepare for an Influx of Veterans

September 24, 2009 — With a new more generous GI Bill in effect, area colleges expect more veterans to enroll in school. Are the schools ready to meet their needs?

Learning Another Language

April 10, 2009 — Even in diverse multicultural New York City, many students do not learn a language other than English.

Choosing Sides in the Fight Over Schools

November 17, 2008 — Another term for Mayor Bloomberg would let him run city schools for four more years-- if the legislature extends mayoral control. Look for a tough fight with warring statistics, rival reports and lots of spin.

The Three C's: Condos, Classrooms and Crowding

September 02, 2008 — Young affluent families are moving to the city and putting their kids in public schools. It may be too much of a good thing.

At Law School, Middle School Students Get on the Case

August 12, 2008 — Working with the St. John's University law school, middle school students in Queens are researching an important but forgotten school desegregation case.

The Autism Gap

June 11, 2008 — As the number of children diagnosed with the disorder increases, parents scramble to find services, raising issues involving education, equity -- and economics.

Anger and Accusations Greet Budget Cuts

May 28, 2008 —

Going Online, Digital and Interactive at the Library

May 16, 2008 — The New York Public Library has ambitious plans to remain relevant and engaging in an era when many see traditional books and paper as almost obsolete.

Time Out for Phys Ed

March 05, 2008 — The Department of Education has implemented a FitnessGRAM so parents can help their kids shape up. But in an era when standardized tests influence so much of the school day, traditional phys ed classes often fall victim to a lack of time and space.

Teaching Kids About Sex

October 25, 2007 — Sex is a fact of life for many teens in New York, but the state does not require schools to teach students about sexuality, contraception or safe sex.

A Report Card from Students

August 14, 2007 — The Department of Education has asked students to rate their schools, but as one high school participant writes, students were unsure as to how to view the exercise.

When Students Need 'Someone to Talk to'

July 31, 2007 — Facing the stress of growing up in New York City, many young people need someone to talk to, but few schools offer adequate mental health services.

Poor Grades for a School ‘Contract’

July 16, 2007 — After years of litigation, the city is getting some additional state money for education. Now the disagreement centers on what to do with it.

Reorganizing the Schools (Again)

January 23, 2007 — After four year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is reorganizing the schools again, but do the changes address the problems that still persist in the city’s public schools?

Military Recruiters In High Schools

January 09, 2007 — Critics have been complaining loudly about the direct presence of military recruiters in city high schools, especially in poor neighborhoods.

Special Ed: Needs Improvement

October 09, 2006 — The Department of Education says it has strengthened services for students with disabilities, but a new state report gives the city’s program low marks.

Is Homework Necessary? Also: A Truce Over Teaching Math

September 26, 2006 — The fight over how to teach math seems to be calming down. But a new debate is heating up over whether to give homework.

The Padlocked Playgrounds

August 11, 2006 — In a city starved for recreational space, hundreds of school playgrounds remain locked and off limits during the summer and on weekends.

How Will Power Shift To The Principals?

July 27, 2006 — The Department of Education wants to transfer power to principals and away from regional offices and superintendents, but arranging the shift by the time school starts in September could be tricky.

Giving Principals More Control

June 23, 2006 — After fours years of centralization, the Department of Education wants to give principals a lot more power. Clara Hemphill reports on what some are calling a ‘180 degree turn’ in the school system.

Buildings, But How About Books?

April 20, 2006 — The long battle over construction funds for New York City schools appears at an end. But the fight over money for teachers, books and supplies continues.

In Defense Of Big Schools

March 14, 2006 — The closing of Seward Park High School is the sad result of the city’s misguided rush to small schools, say author Samuel Freedman and former Seward teacher Jessica Siegel.

The 37 1/2-Minute Scramble

February 10, 2006 — The Department of Education’s new 37 and a half minute sessions for struggling students raise an array of logistical and educational issues, according to a survey of disgruntled parents. Philissa Cramer of Inside Schools reports.

Improving School Food

January 17, 2006 — The city wants to improve school food. But is it possible to prepare 860,000 fresh, healthy meals every day?

School Choice, School Confusion

November 28, 2005 — Upper West Side parents confront confusing rules and application procedures as they select a school for their children, reports Inside Schools. Also, after-school programs.

The School Admissions Scramble

October 13, 2005 — Tens of thousands of New York kids as young as five years old must apply to get into a public school. Some don’t get into any. A look at the school admissions scramble.

The New New Math, And Some Old Debates Renewed

September 29, 2005 — Math education has become a hotly debated issue in schools. The latest test scores are unlikely to settle anything.

Campaign 2005: After Mayoral Control, Rivals Call For More Changes

August 05, 2005 — His Democratic rivals praise Michael Bloomberg for taking on education, and gaining mayoral control of the schools, but say they could do better. A look at the education issues in Campaign 2005.

Setbacks and Successes for Education Councils

July 21, 2005 — The new Community Education Councils (which replaced community school boards) experienced lots of frustration but saw some successes in their first year of existence, writes Judy Baum.

The 2006 School Budget -- Reasons To Be Pessimistic

June 22, 2005 — The new education budget is a lesson in optimism, but, as Gail Robinson reports, there are several reasons to be more pessimistic, such as the unrealistic assumptions in the capital budget and the unresolved teacher's contract.

Money, Class Size and Mayoral Politics

May 20, 2005 — Gail Robinson looks at the emergence as campaign issues of the fight over additional funds for city schools, and how much of it to spend on reducing class size.

Teaching Fellows Make Their Mark

May 04, 2005 — After five years, the city’s efforts to bring energetic, committed people without education training into the city’s classrooms has invigorated some schools but stumbled in others, writes Deborah Apsel of Inside Schools.

Cell Phone Ban; Special Ed in Middle Schools

April 13, 2005 — High school parents want the Department of Education to ease its ban on cell phones. Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, parents fought successfully to improve special ed programs for middle school students.

Entering the Autonomy Zone; Poll on Schools

March 10, 2005 — A pilot program for principals giving them more autonomy. Also, new poll show public dissatisfaction with the schools.

The Latest Round on School Funding

February 17, 2005 — When a State Supreme Court judge ordered that city schools get billions of dollars more than they do now, many New Yorkers cheered, some jeered, and others steeled for more tortured politics and long delays.

Real School Pests; School Funding

January 26, 2005 — Mice, rats and roaches scamper through many city schools, according to a poll by Inside Schools. And another poll finds voters across the state support more money for city schools.

Overcrowding Squeezes Learning; Also the Great Toilet Paper Debate

December 22, 2004 — Crowding in schools disrupts learning and wastes valuable classroom time, write John Thomas and Vanessa Witenko of Inside Schools. Also: the great toilet paper debate.

Why City Students Don’t Learn Science

November 23, 2004 — Most city middle schools do not have the staff, equipment or time to teach students science.

Student Drug Use; Also: Middle School Confusion

October 28, 2004 — The death of a student at the Bronx High School of Science from a heroin overdose has raised concerns about teen drug use, write Deborah Apsel and Pamela Wheaton of InsideSchools.org, who explain what schools and parents can, and should, be doing to prevent it.

School Funding and the Special Masters

September 22, 2004 — Two staff members of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity explain what has happened since the governor and the state legislature missed their court-ordered deadline for fixing the state's flawed school-funding system.

Cloning A Charter School From Connecticut

August 03, 2004 — Its supporters praise the Connecticut charter school, the Amistad Academy, which is being cloned here in New York. But Marcia Biederman compares it to a successful middle school already in Crown Heights, and asks: Do we need to outsource New York City schools?"

School Trips Go Commercial

July 06, 2004 — Instead of visiting public zoos or museums, an increasing number of schools are send students on trips to commercial stores, thanks to the efforts of a savvy marketer.

Flaws In The High School Admission Process

June 03, 2004 — Marcia Biederman looks at flaws in the new high school admissions process that are leaving some eighth-grade students without a school to go to.

Teaching Certificates Are Tougher To Get

May 04, 2004 — At the same time that the NYC public schools have launched an ambitious campaign to recruit teachers, it is suddenly harder to become one. Marcia Biederman reports on the new teaching certificate requirements and other barriers.

Will Third Graders Learn More Now?

April 06, 2004 — After all the turmoil of the last few weeks, will third graders actually learn more? Marcia Biederman explores their new curriculum.

Adult Education Cuts

March 04, 2004 — Cuts in the city’s adult education programs, writes Marcia Biederman, risk diminishing what is already “the best kept secret in town.”

Ending Social Promotion, Once Again

February 05, 2004 — There is a new plan to "end social promotion" in public school, and Raymond Domanico, whose job 20 years ago was to evaluate a similar plan, looks at what it would take to make it work this time around.

New York's Children Left Behind?

January 07, 2004 — Are New York's children being left behind by federal policies?

School Contracts: Do They Serve The Students?

December 10, 2003 — Critics charge that contracts with teachers, administrators and school custodians may serve the adults in the schools rather than the students. Jessica Wolff reports on the recent, controversial City Council hearings on these contracts.

The New High Schools Admissions Process

November 07, 2003 — A look at the new high school admissions process – and what can be learned by the confusion surrounding it.

Class Size Limited By Law?

October 06, 2003 — Thanks to a recent judicial decision, voters will be asked in November to consider whether the number of students per class should be limited by law. Jessica Wolff argues this might not be such a good idea.

Judging School Reform

September 04, 2003 — The new school year promises a rocky start because of  the Bloomberg administration's ambitious new school reforms.  But "New Yorkers should not rush to judgment," advise Raymond Domanicco and Jessica Wolff, who offer 11 questions to ask, beyond test scores, when it is indeed time to judge.

High School Push Outs

August 08, 2003 — Jessica Wolff looks at the disturbing trend of low-performing students being driven to drop out of school in order to increase their (former) schools’ overall test scores.

Gearing Up For The Changes

July 22, 2003 — Jessica Wolff reports how the city’s school officials are working hard all summer to try to get the newly reorganized school system in place for the fall.

The School-Funding Victory

June 27, 2003 — The state’s highest court has reversed a lower court decision, and ruled that every student is entitled to the opportunity for a meaningful high school education – a ruling, says two staff members for the winning plaintiffs, that is a clear-cut victory for New York City’s public school students.

Mayor's Education Plan Challenged; Also: School-Funding Case Continues

June 06, 2003 — The restructuring of the school system proceeds despite challenges, Jessica Wolff reports. Also: school-funding case heard by state's highest court.

Proposed Changes In Special Education

May 15, 2003 — Joseph Wardenski offers details of the Department of Education’s plan to change special education, and how it has been criticized.

Making The List

April 03, 2003 — Jessica Wolff looks at "the list" - the 209 successful schools that do not have to adopt the new uniform curriculum, and why so many people are angry about it. Also: opportunities for educational activism (a brief calendar of hearings, marches, etc.)

The Governor's Proposed Budget And Its Effect On NYC Schools

March 17, 2003 — The governor's proposed budget would disproportionately affect New York City schools.

Shaking Up the School System

February 07, 2003 — The Department of Education has begun implementing the sweeping changes Mayor Bloomberg proposed last month, redrawing the school system map, appointing regional superintendents and making decisions about the curriculum for 1,000 public schools.

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January 06, 2003 —

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December 05, 2002 —

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November 12, 2002 —

Chancellor Klein So Far

October 01, 2002 —

Chancellor Klein's Right-Hand Woman: Who is Diana Lam?

September 01, 2002 —

The New Chancellor

August 01, 2002 —

Albany's Sway Over City Schools

July 01, 2002 —

School Deals Near

June 01, 2002 —

Community School Boards' Uncertain Future

May 01, 2002 —

To Test or Not To Test?

April 01, 2002 —

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December 01, 2001 —

The Edison Schools Controversy

February 01, 2001 —