The NYC Council has now proposed in its preliminary budget response that DOE allocate $250M next year for class size reduction. This amount would be used to hire 2500 new teachers, which could then reduce class size in as many as 10,000 smaller classes citywide, since each new teacher and class creates smaller classes for every other class in the same grade and/or subject in each school.
See the press release here and below, and an updated fact sheet here.
Now we have to ensure that the Council negotiates hard and the Mayor and the Chancellor agree that this funding is included in the final budget. How can you help?
First, sign our (slightly revised) petition, if you haven't already.
Second, if you're a member of a CEC, PTA or other community organization, please consider passing this resolution, urging that at least $250 million be spent on class size reduction next year; please also invite us to your next meeting to do a presentation on how and why smaller classes are so critical.
If you're not a CEC member, please consider sharing the resolution with your district CEC, Community board or other organization and urge them to approve it as well.
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NYC Council proposes $250 million for class size reduction next year
In their Preliminary Budget Response, the NYC Council proposes that next year $250 million should be allocated to lowering class size, especially targeted towards struggling schools with vulnerable student populations. This would allow the Department of Education to hire an additional 2,500 teachers, which could lower class size in as many as CONTINUE READING: NYC Public School Parents: The City Council has proposed $250 million for smaller classes next year!