One of my favorite education books is my autographed copy of Pedro Noguera’s “The Trouble with Black Boys: Race, Equity and the Future of Public Education” (2006). Over the years I occasionally chatted with Pedro at NYU, thoughtful and challenging conversations. A few years ago Pedro decamped to UCLA, our loss.
A recent Pedro essay, “Filling in the Blanks on Mamdani’s Education Agenda: subtitled “A dozen concrete steps the mayor-elect should take” requires a response.
Pedro’s flawed “steps,”
Retain mayoral control
Mayor Control sunsets at the end of June unless the legislature/governor extend the law, Mamdani made ending mayoral control the key issue in his campaign: mayor control will change, what should replace it? Across the nation large cities have a variety of management system, any fresh ideas?
Retain Melissa Aviles-Ramos as chancellor
Since the introduction of mayoral control in 2002 we’ve endured eight chancellors, one lasted four months, a recent chancellor had his cell phone snatched by the FBI. Changing leadership in midyear would be disruptive, once a new management system is determined the chancellor decision will be made.
End the charter schools war
No, fighting the charter school war is a good fight. The network charter schools (i.e., Success Academy) have over a hundred million in the bank (See IRS 990 report), and still maintain “got to go” lists and instruction is totally test prep dominated, the neighborhood charter schools should folded into districts, uncertified teachers receive waivers, a major expense for neighborhood charter schools are lobbyists to prevent any meaningful accountability performance assessments.
Expand performance-based assessments
Pedro, NYS is moving to all performance-based assessments in all schools,
New York’s “Portrait of a Graduate” requires students to demonstrate proficiency in six key areas to earn a high school diploma, replacing the old Regents exam-based system for graduation starting in 2027-2028. The six areas are: academically prepared, creative innovators, critical thinkers, effective communicators, global citizens, and reflective and future-focused. Students will meet these requirements through a variety of assessments, such as projects, debates, service learning, and future goal-setting, rather than passing standardized Regents exams. David Steiner sees the Portrait of a Graduate as a “Retreat from Knowledge,” Watch his presentation here.
Sustain Mayor Adams reading initiative and expand to the higher grades
NYS is requiring “Science of Reading,” aka, phonic programs in all schools in the state and reading scores are increasing, whether the increase is due to the phonics approach or the manipulation of scale scores is an ongoing debate.
Engage other city departments supporting schools in marginalized communities
Service providers in marginalized communities meet monthly, including school district leadership, a major issue is the various providers more interested in protecting their turf than collaborating with the wide range of providers, hopefully the new administration will address.
Deepen partnerships
You’re absolutely correct, the mayor has announced the goal of thousands of partnerships, so far without progress, the Department created a “Pathways” department, hired a job creation expert, who has left, words have not matched deeds.
Significantly increase starting salaries for new teachers
Absolutely agree, Mamdani is supporting a new teacher recruitment plan and the city Men in Education Teach recruits men of color into the school system, and it has been highly effective.
Leave the exam schools alone
Mamdani graduated from one of the Specialized High Schools (Bronx High School of Science) and the SHSAT test is embedded in state law, and while the numbers of students of color is extremely low the answer of probably to create additional gifted schools located in marginalized communities with admittance, perhaps, based on class standing.
Consolidate under enrolled schools and create ones
Without fanfare the Department has been consolidating under enrolled schools and creating new schools, targeting specific populations, a new International High School was recently approved, albeit over local objections.
Conduct an audit of the DOE starting with starting with central and district level administration
Absolutely, the Adams administration has created too many 200K plus jobs at central headquarters, instructional decision-makers should be in schools and school districts, not in central headquarters.
Take a strategic approach to implementing free childcare
While last on your list, it might have the greatest impact. Mamdani is engaged in a highly “strategic approach,” possibly working with the Governor, who is engaged in a contentious election. Among the suggestions, very early suggestions, is an income-based child care tax as well as beginning by targeting the highest needs communities. Shortly after the Mayor is sworn in the Governor will make her State of the State speech, and be interesting to see whether she addresses childcare.
and you left out, the role of the UFT, the teachers union
Some years ago I met the leader of the German Teachers Union and asked what he was doing before, expecting a local teacher union leader, he responded he was a high school principal. I asked how he became a principal, He replied, “The usual way, I was selected by my colleagues.” I suggest you watch a film currently on Netflix, “The Teachers Lounge.”
Perhaps teacher unions should have a seat at the table, as Hamilton says, “…in the room where it happens>”
Pedro, thanks for your “suggestions,” civil discourse leads to collaborative decisions, and if sunny LA proves too boring and you wander back to the Big Apple I’m sure we’d find a spot for you in the education menagerie.
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 