As Eric Adams keeps control over NYC schools, he’s forced to lower class sizes
Mayor Eric Adams won control of New York City’s public schools for two more years, but not without several changes to the system along with a new mandate to lower class sizes by 2027, state lawmakers decided early Friday. Sen. John Liu, a Queens Democrat who helped craft the agreements, described the compromise over mayoral […]
My U.S. History Regents exam was canceled after a mass shooting. Leaders must focus on removing the real threat.
As the New York State mandated U.S. History Regents exam approached, test preparation was in full swing at Stuyvesant High School, where I am a junior. This year would be the first time this exam was offered since the pandemic hit, and none of us knew what to expect. Stuyvesant held intensive test prep during […]
Dancing after social distancing: NYC students learn to waltz together again
There was no hint of social distancing, no hesitation to get in close once the polka came on. Fifth graders at P.S. 48 in Washington Heights faced each other in two tight circles at the center of the gym, some wearing masks and others without. The upbeat pom-pom-pom music came through a small but powerful […]
Teacher Shortage: More teachers are needed .. State Education Department aims to ease teacher certification requirements, as shortages continue
A major teacher shortage continues to plague New York state. Educators say the certification process is arduous and costly, causing some to walk away before leading their own classroom. Now, the state Department of Education is making new proposals to try and solve the problem. Among them: getting rid of a feared assessment. Kevin Quinn […]
New York to increase weekly instruction for medically fragile students
New York state officials will increase the number of hours students with medical conditions must receive after a flurry of questions from parents and school districts — but the mandate won’t take effect until the 2023-2024 school year. The changes affect students who, for medical reasons, won’t be in school for at least 10 days […]
‘Sensory canoes’ and climbing walls: Inside NYC’s recovery program for students with disabilities
Five-year-old Bradley often struggles to sit still and is prone to wandering. But on a recent Saturday morning, he was calm, sprawled on a bean bag chair in a Brooklyn classroom, the lights turned down, and his socks cast aside. The only glow came from four illuminated vertical tubes filled with bubbles and a laptop […]
Philadelphia will screen sixth through eighth graders for weapons
Philadelphia’s sixth through eighth grade students will be subject to periodic weapons screenings starting on Monday, the school district announced Thursday in a letter to parents. The screenings will take place at six schools a day. They will be conducted at every middle school, as well as elementary schools with middle school grades, at least […]
After a spate of violence in NYC, here’s expert advice on how to talk with kids
From Chalkbeat In the terrifying moments after a gunman opened fire on a crowded subway train in Sunset Park, Brooklyn on Wednesday, schools nearby immediately went into lockdown. Students sheltered in their classrooms, with news alerts pinging on cell phones and smart devices. When class let out, police lights still flickered in the streets. Among […]
