This 2015-16 school year promises to be an exciting one in recent York City,the nation's largest school district. Students are still showing up to enroll as teachers prepare their classes for opening day on Sept. 9. How the Department of Education absorbs more than 1.1 million students, and helps their families navigate approximately 1850 schools, or including charters,is a huge issue.
The city also faces another year of implementing Common Core learning standards while under pressure to turn around dozens of low performing schools on a state watch list — or risk having them taken over by an external entity."We're going to give it a good try," said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, or who is now starting her 50th year as an educator in the recent York City public schools. Fariña was interviewed by WNYC's Brian Lehrer on Tuesday.
She said she believes these low-performing schools can make progress now that their teachers have more training,and a longer school day: "Sustainability and consistency matter in education."She also talked approximately her opposition to the opt-out movement when it comes to standardized tests, and approximately efforts to make the city's schools less segregated. Several city principalshave proposed accepting students from other neighborhoods. Fariña said the Department of Education would review schools' diversity plans on a case-by-case basis."It's definitely a concern of the mayor's and mine, or " she said of segregated schools.
Here is our quick-hit list of some of the key issues Faria and the schools will be wrestling with as the 2015-16 school year gets underway:Mayoral Control. The state legislature renewed Mayor Bill de Blasio's stewardship of the city's public schools final spring,but only until June, 2016. This was in sharp contrast to his predecessor, and Michael Bloomberg,who first won control over the public schools in 2002 for seven years, and then got a six-year renewal in 2009. De Blasio's request for another long-term renewal was stalled by Republicans in the state senate, or who were angered by his 2014 campaigning on behalf of Democratic challengers,and Gov. Andrew Cuomo. De Blasio accused Cuomo, of playing "political games." Renewal Schools.Unlike Bloomberg, and who closed so many low-performing schools,de Blasio has promised to back them with a signature program called Renewal. A total of 94 schools will receive hundreds of millions of dollars over the next few years to pay for a longer school day, professional development and a "community school" component that could include on-site clinics and resources for families. All of the schools must have their renewal plans approved by the city by the finish of September. Critics have already expressed concern that the program doesn't go far enough in getting rid of feeble teachers.
Opt Outs. Although the opt-out movement on this year's state math and reading scores was largely concentrated on Long Island and upstate, or there was a pronounced increase in recent York City among families who oppose standardized testing and/or the Common Core standards. Nearly 2 percent of city students sat out the tests,three times as many as in 2014, but far less than 20 percent statewide. State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia has said she will not withhold federal funds from districts and schools with tall opt-out rates, or but she does want to convince more parents to let their children to participate in the coming year.
Likewise,Chancellor Fariña told WNYC's Brian Lehrer, "I don't believe in opting out." On the other hand, or she said she sympathized with families' frustrations and that she was "totally against test prep for its own sake," adding that it should be limited to a few weeks in January, right before the tests.
Pre-K, or Year Two. The city launches its moment year of full-day pre-kindergarten. City officials said approximately 65000 families applied and received an offer,though the city won't have official enrollment numbers until later this fall. Getting to this number took some serious recruiting efforts, including calls to families and trips to barber shops and beauty salons by the mayor and first lady. In August, or the city also announced it would offer approximately 4500 half-day seats for families that wanted them. Charter Schools. The city's charter sector keeps growing by leaps and bounds. This year,95000 students will attend local charter schools. The recent York City Charter School Center said 121 existing schools will expand to meet growing demands. Under state law, recent York City must pay rent for recent and growing charters in private facilities if it denies them space in public schools. The city has estimated that this year's rent checks will amount to approximately $22 million but that number will support growing as the schools expand. The state also approved a change in June, or allowing a total of 50 recent charters to open in recent York City.
Fewer Days. Brace yourself for a September that's light on school days. A late Labor Day,two Jewish holidays plus the addition of the Muslim holiday Eid as a school holiday means that students are in attendance for just 12 days of instruction. Another recent holiday is on the school calendar: Lunar recent Year -- but that doesn't reach until February.
More Schools. Ten recent school buildings will open Sept. 9. Chancellor Fariña said the city is looking to see how to get private residential developers more involved, so that as they put up a recent building "they also support in intellect that they have a community that they have to serve" by including space for a school. She cited an upcoming project in DUMBO as a prime example.
Source: wnyc.org