NYC Public School Parents: Call to Action! Keep the cap on charters!

NYC Public School Parents: Call to Action! Keep the cap on charters!

Call to Action! Keep the cap on charters!

The Education Council Consortium (ECC) invites all stakeholders to make a Charter Cap Call to Action. Please find more information in a letter from the ECC to the community, below: 

Dear fellow advocates of public education and concerned families,

We need your help. We advocated hard for a cap on the number of charter schools that could operate in New York City, and we won—but now, the charter school industry is lobbying hard to remove that cap. Even though they could easily open charter schools in other parts of the state, and even though NYC has over 80% of the state’s charters, they still want more in NYC. StudentsFirst, a pro-charter political lobbying organization formed by Michelle Rhee to pass state laws facilitating charter school expansion, has released results from their poll claiming NYC Democrats want more charters. Parent advocates don’t have lobbyists or market research firms to game the system, but we have our voices and our elected representatives. 

Phone Banking

Please reach out to 10 or more friends—SLT and PTA members, grandparents, really anyone you know, and ask them to call or write their state legislators. We are aiming to have 50 calls made in each community school district, surpassing 1,500 calls.

The Charter Committee will hold a virtual phone bank on TONIGHT, Thursday, May 27th at 7pm. Please register in advance for this event. 

Letter Writing 

You can also send a letter to your elected officials here. The letter writing site has a sample letter and it will look up your legislators, so that all you have to do is sign your name! Please do it today and share with others.

NYC Public School Parents: Call to Action! Keep the cap on charters!

NYC Public School Parents: Results from our Parent Action Conference: how should the eight billion dollars in state and federal funds for our schools be spent? check it out!

NYC Public School Parents: Results from our Parent Action Conference: how should the eight billion dollars in state and federal funds for our schools be spent? check it out!

Results from our Parent Action Conference: how should the eight billion dollars in state and federal funds for our schools be spent? check it out!

On Sat. May 22, 2021, we had a great Parent Action Conference, co-sponsored with NYC Kids PAC and Teens Take Charge, to brainstorm on how parents, educators and students would like the $8B in additional federal and state funds should be spent to meet our students' needs. Thanks to all her participated! 

 Our terrific keynote speakers were from the federal, state and local levels: former NYC principal and now US House Rep. Jamaal Bowman, State Senator Robert Jackson, who was a parent and former D6 School Board member and original CFE plaintiff, and former NYC teacher, City Councilmember Mark Treyger, now chair of the Council Education Committee.

We presented a brief power point (also below) that included more info on the resources our schools are receiving, and summarized the results of our online survey. We then broke into six different groups focused on Elementary schools, Middle and High Schools, Students with Disabilities, Multi Language Learners, Health and Safety, and a student group led by Teens Take Charge. Members of our groups wanted to emphasize the need for smaller classes, more counselors and social workers, a nurse for every building, more extracurricular activities and programs and more. 

 Here is a recording of the session with Passcode: w!vhA8LG. The Jamboard with ideas from our breakout groups is also below.   

 

Results from Parent Action Conference 2021: How do parents, educators & students want $8B in additional funds to be spent? | Class Size Matters

Results from Parent Action Conference 2021: How do parents, educators & students want $8B in additional funds to be spent? | Class Size Matters  | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes

Results from Parent Action Conference 2021: How do parents, educators & students want $8B in additional funds to be spent?

On Sat. May 22, 2021, we had a great Parent Action Conference, co-sponsored with NYC Kids PAC and Teens Take Charge, to brainstorm on how parents, educators and students would like the $8B in additional federal and state funds should be spent to meet our students’ needs.  Thanks to all her participated!

Rep. Jamaal Bowman

Our terrific keynote speakers were from the federal, state and local levels: former NYC principal and now US House Rep. Jamaal Bowman, State Senator Robert Jackson, who was a parent and former D6 School Board member and original CFE plaintiff, and former NYC teacher, City Councilmember Mark Treyger, now chair of the Council Education Committee.

Council Member Mark Treyger

                                           

We presented a brief power point (also below) that included more info on the resources our schools are receiving, and summarized the results of our online survey.  We then broke into six different groups focused on Elementary schools, Middle and High Schools, Students with Disabilities, Multi Language Learners, Health and Safety, and a student group led by Teens Take Charge.

Members of our groups wanted to emphasize the need for smaller classes, more counselors and social workers, a nurse for every building, more extracurricular activities and programs and more.

Here is a recording of the session with Passcode: w!vhA8LG.  The Jamboard with ideas from our breakout groups is also  below.

Results from Parent Action Conference 2021: How do parents, educators & students want $8B in additional funds to be spent? | Class Size Matters  | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes

NYC Public School Parents: "Talk out of School" podcast with PEP member Tom Sheppard and Regent Kathy Cashin

NYC Public School Parents: "Talk out of School" podcast with PEP member Tom Sheppard and Regent Kathy Cashin

"Talk out of School" podcast with PEP member Tom Sheppard and Regent Kathy Cashin

Check out our latest "Talk out of School" podcast with Tom Sheppard on pushing the envelope on Panel for Educational Policy to empower parents on issues such as school mergers, closures, and larger educational policies regarding testing, funding and class size; and Regent Kathy Cashin on how smaller classes transformed her schools when she was Superintendent of D23 & Regional Superintendent in Brooklyn and Queens.

 

Resources:

Panel for Educational Policy agenda for May 18 meeting and contract list; instructions on how to listen or comment here. 

Daily News article on proposed closure of PS 88 in the Bronx 

NY Times 2006 profile of Kathleen Cashin and her work as a Superintendent and Regional Superintendent in Brooklyn and Queens.

Regent Cashin’s op-ed on what happened in her schools when class size was reduced.

NYC Public School Parents: "Talk out of School" podcast with PEP member Tom Sheppard and Regent Kathy Cashin

CPAC: Why next year will be our best opportunity to lower class size in our schools | Class Size Matters

CPAC: Why next year will be our best opportunity to lower class size in our schools | Class Size Matters  | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes

CPAC: Why next year will be our best opportunity to lower class size in our schools

We gave this power point presentation to the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council on 5.6.21 on why next year, because of the big increase in state and federal funding, we will have the best opportunity to lower class size, at a time  when students will need smaller classes more than ever before.

Here it is a pdf below.

CPAC: Why next year will be our best opportunity to lower class size in our schools | Class Size Matters  | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes

Please send a letter on the need to lower class size to your State Senator today! and other updates | Class Size Matters

Please send a letter on the need to lower class size to your State Senator today! and other updates | Class Size Matters and other updates | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes

Please send a letter on the need to lower class size to your State Senator today! and other updates

Please send a letter today to your State Senators by clicking here, urging them to sign onto S.6296, the bill introduced by Sen. Robert Jackson, to update and renew NYC’s commitment to lower class size in all grades – especially now since we’re due to get full Foundation funding from the state. As of today, it’s already signed onto by eight other Senators from both parties– Senators Brad Hoylman, Julia Salazar, Jose Serrano, Brian Benjamin, Andrew Gournades, Zellnor Myrie, Andrew Lanza, and Jessica Ramos! Much thanks to all of them and Robert Jackson for their support.

2. NYC is due to receive more than $8 billion in additional state and federal funds over the next two to three years. We would like your input on how the money should be spent, to help us structure our discussions at our upcoming May 22 Parent Action Conference, co-sponsored with NYC Kids PAC. Please take this five-minute survey to rank your priorities.

3. Then, if you have time, read this this wonderful Daily News oped by Regent Kathleen Cashin, about how smaller classes utterly transformed the schools she led in Brooklyn and Queens, when she was a Regional superintendent. And check out my latest Talk out of School podcast with Danny Dromm, former teacher and current head of the City Council Finance committee, who explains why he has made class size reduction a priority to fight for in the city budget for next year.

4. Finally, (and I know I’m asking a lot); it’s my birthday tomorrow and it would be great if you could give to Class Size Matters to mark the occasion. We couldn’t hold our regular annual fundraiser for the last two years because of the pandemic; I really on your support to keep advocating for NYC children and their right to receive a quality education. Please give here if you can afford it.

But remember to send a letter to your State Senator about class size first; it’s free!

thanks so much, Leonie

Please send a letter on the need to lower class size to your State Senator today! and other updates | Class Size Matters and other updates | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes

NYC Public School Parents: How do you think NYC should spend $8 billion to improve our schools? Make your voice heard!

NYC Public School Parents: How do you think NYC should spend $8 billion to improve our schools? Make your voice heard!

How do you think NYC should spend $8 billion to improve our schools? Make your voice heard!

Class Size Matters is holding our annual Parent Action Conference on Sat. May 22 from 11 AM – 1 PM with NYC Kids PAC, to gain input from parents, teachers and others on how NYC should invest the $8 billion in additional state and federal funds our schools are due to receive in the next two to three years.

Please sign up here, and we”ll send you the Zoom link shortly before the event.

Then take our three-minute survey to express your spending priorities; whose results we will present at the conference.

NYC Public School Parents: How do you think NYC should spend $8 billion to improve our schools? Make your voice heard!

Sign the petition now!

Please use the additional state and federal funds to provide our kids with the smaller classes they will need next year!

Target: NYC Mayor de Blasio and the City Council

SIGN THIS PETITION

NYC Public School Parents: How do you think NYC should spend $8 billion to improve our schools? Make your voice heard!

NYC Public School Parents: "Talk out of School" podcast with Council Member Danny Dromm, chair of the Finance Committee

NYC Public School Parents: "Talk out of School" podcast with Council Member Danny Dromm, chair of the Finance Committee

"Talk out of School" podcast with Council Member Danny Dromm, chair of the Finance Committee

Former teacher and NYC Council Finance chair Danny Dromm has been a champion for student rights and quality public schools. 

He spoke to Leonie about his experiences with large class sizes in Queens, why he risked his job by coming out as gay at his school, why he decided to run for the Council and challenge an incumbent, and why he and the City Council have made reducing class size a priority for next year’s budget. 

Dromm also discussed his views on restorative justice in schools, testing, charter schools, and the rights of ultra-Orthodox children to receive a sound basic education.

 Episode Notes

Resources:

• Danny Dromm’s activism in advocating for gay rights and on the Rainbow Curriculum
• Mayor de Blasio’s budget proposal for FY 2022
• City Council’s budget response
• Regent Kathy Cashin’s Daily News op-ed on the importance of lowering class size
• NYS Senate bill S. 6296 to require NYC to update their class size reduction plan
• Class Size Matters report on DOE over-payments for charter school rent and underpayments to NYC public schools in matching funds for facility enhancement

NYC Public School Parents: "Talk out of School" podcast with Council Member Danny Dromm, chair of the Finance Committee

2 Easy ways to help make sure NYC kids get smaller classes starting next year! | Class Size Matters

2 Easy ways to help make sure NYC kids get smaller classes starting next year! | Class Size Matters | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes

2 Easy ways to help make sure NYC kids get smaller classes starting next year!

1.The Mayor released his proposed budget yesterday. Despite the crying need for smaller classes and the Council’s proposal to allocate $250 million for that purpose, instead he wants to spend $500 million for something called for “Intensive Academic Recovery for Every Student” which will cover tutoring and “universal academic assessments”, though he didn’t specify who would do the tutoring or what tests would be be used. Very disappointing.

Yet the good news is that Senator Robert Jackson, the original plaintiff in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit, has just submitted a bill, S. 6296 to require that DOE update and renew its obligation to develop and implement a five-year class size reduction plan, with additional accountability and transparency provisions  to ensure that they do.  Co-sponsors so far are Senators Brad Hoylman, Brian Benjamin and Julia Salazar.

Please call your State Senator today, either in their Albany or NYC office and leave a message saying,

My name is x, my phone no. is y, and I am your constituent Please sign onto Sen. Robert Jackson’s bill, S. 6296 , to require class size reduction in our public schools, so that my child and all NYC children will finally receive their right to a sound basic education, which the state’s highest court said cannot happen without smaller classes.

You can find their names and phone numbers by filling out your address here.

And then if you haven’t already, sign our petition to the Mayor and the City Council Speaker, urging them allocate $250M in next year’s budget to fund the first step of class size reduction, which will be necessary to ensure the health, safety and academic and emotional support that NYC kids will need more than ever.  It has about 550 signatures now, and it would be good to get to 1,000 before I send it off to them.

2. There was a great piece in Gotham Gazette yesterday which outlined the need for smaller classes as well as parent input into school reopening plans next year, co-authored by CM Brad Lander, NYC Kids PAC president Naila Rosario, and teacher Liat Olenick As they put it, “Smaller classes will help address covid fears and give remote-learning families more confidence to come back to school buildings, will help teachers meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of their students, and will improve educational outcomes in the long-term. It’s a win-win-win.”

On Saturday May 23, at 11 AM-1 PM,  Class Size Matters and NYC Kids PAC will co-sponsor a Parent Action Conference to gather your ideas on other ways that the $8 billion dollars in additional state and federal funds over the next three years should be spent. More info on this soon.

Yours,

Leonie Haimson
Executive Director
Class Size Matters
124 Waverly Pl.
New York, NY 10011
phone: 917-435-9329
info@classsizematters.org
www.classsizematters.org

2 Easy ways to help make sure NYC kids get smaller classes starting next year! | Class Size Matters | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes

NYC Public School Parents: The City Council has proposed $250 million for smaller classes next year!

NYC Public School Parents: The City Council has proposed $250 million for smaller classes next year!

The City Council has proposed $250 million for smaller classes next year!

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!

New York City is Overspending on Charter School Facilities, Underspending on Matching Funds for District Public Schools - Gotham Gazette

New York City is Overspending on Charter School Facilities, Underspending on Matching Funds for District Public Schools

New York City is Overspending on Charter School Facilities, Underspending on Matching Funds for District Public Schools

A new Class Size Matters report, DoE Overspending On Charter School Facility Costs and Underspending On Matching Funds To Public Schools reveals that the New York City Department of Education has overspent by many millions on rent for charter schools, while denying co-located traditional public schools millions of dollars of their legally-required matching funds for facility upgrades and repairs.   

This report was an update from our earlier 2019 report, which found many of the same problems after analyzing Department of Education (DOE) spending data that we had acquired through Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests and spreadsheets posted on the City Council website. 

As a result of this earlier report, the city Comptroller’s office sent a letter to the schools Chancellor in January 2020, asking him to respond to our findings. When Deputy Chancellor Karin Goldmark replied several months later, she surprisingly did not refute any of our conclusions and actually confirmed some of our findings. She also sent a new spreadsheet that purported to show DOE’s matching funds that contained data completely different from the data provided to us earlier by DOE via FOIL and/or from the City Council website. 

Yet the data in the new spreadsheets still revealed considerable shortfalls in matching funds nearly as egregious as we found in our original report. The state CONTINUE READING: New York City is Overspending on Charter School Facilities, Underspending on Matching Funds for District Public Schools

NYC Public School Parents: Parents & community members protest closure of PS 88 in the Bronx; will they be forced to take DOE to court to stop this irrational proposal?

NYC Public School Parents: Parents & community members protest closure of PS 88 in the Bronx; will they be forced to take DOE to court to stop this irrational proposal?

Parents & community members protest closure of PS 88 in the Bronx; will they be forced to take DOE to court to stop this irrational proposal?

Stories on the proposed closure of PS 88 have appeared in the Daily News and on Bronx News-12 TV.

DOE officials are trying to close a small, beloved K-3 zoned school in District 9 in the Bronx, PS 88, also called CES 88 or the Silverstein Little Sparrow School.  They want to leave the entire building empty and send the current students to PS 53, a 4th-5th grade school blocks away.  Why?

They claim that the school has lost enrollment this year, but so have 60% of all NYC public schools.  They claim the school is under-enrolled, but this ignores that the school utilization formula is aligned with class sizes larger than the state's highest court in the CFE lawsuit said were necessary for a sound basic education.  The DOE refused to revise the school utilization formula to allow for smaller classes, despite the fact that their own advisory Blue Book Working group urged them to do so.

Instead, PS 88's relatively low enrollment and available classroom space has meant that their students have been able to attend school in person five days a week during the pandemic, complete with small classes and social distancing,  in nearly ideal learning conditions especially for a high-poverty school.  If these kids are shunted off to PS 53, their class sizes will likely double and fewer kids will be able to attend in person, that is if the safety protocols require any social distancing in the fall.

Moreover, if DOE officials are really so concerned about the school's under-enrollment, all they have to do is add a 3K and/or a preK class to the school, neither of which it currently has  though strangely, they did insert preK classes into PS 53, sharing that building with 4th and 5th graders. 

Alternatively, they could also rezone the neighborhood, so that more children now attending the Walton Avenue School (09X294) and Lucero Elementary School (09X311) just a CONTINUE READING: NYC Public School Parents: Parents & community members protest closure of PS 88 in the Bronx; will they be forced to take DOE to court to stop this irrational proposal?