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Richard Caplan/City Limits
Class of 2013: Tech Students Eye Careers As Reforms Stall
In our year-long series on the Bloomberg administration's final high-school class, we meet students at a Career and Technical high school in Staten Island.
Class of 2013: Life in the Sweet Spot
Amid the debate over whether small high schools have fixed—or added to—problems with large city high schools, four students at "Tele" are happy to be stuck in the middle.
Class of 2013: Bloomberg's Babies Start Senior Year
In the first installment of a year-long series following members of the final graduating class under Michael Bloomberg, we meet two seniors whose high-school careers reflect the impact of the mayor's reforms.
School Food Deal Lures Firms Linked to Past Probes
A decade ago a federal investigation of school food contracts led to convictions against several firms, and prison terms for some leaders. Now, two companies with links to the episode are bidding to deliver food to New York's students.
DOE Diaspora: NYC School Vets Spread Reforms Nationwide
The impact of Mayor Bloomberg's education reforms is being felt well beyond New York as former DOE aides have taken top jobs in other cities and states.
Fear of School Closure Is Personal for This Principal
Whether Bed-Stuy's Boys and Girls High School—with its declining enrollment and F ratings—survives is not just a professional concern for Principal Bernard Gassaway. His classroom roots, his former marriage, his career ambitions are all tied to the building on Fulton Street.
Leasing Rules Eyed After Toxic School's Closure
When a Bronx school shut this summer because of contamination, parents of students who'd attended the site over the past two decades worried about their children's health—and wondered why the problem wasn't detected earlier.
Flat Gains on U.S. Tests Clash with Picture of Progress in NYC
New York school officials claim city students are making consistent gains, even in the face of national scores that suggest little progress over the past two years.
From Buses to Special Ed, Contractors' Role in Schools Questioned
Many private firms' projects in city schools have not been "disasters." But that doesn't mean these multimillion-dollar projects are the best way for a school system to spend its money.
2 Schools, 1 Space: Scars Linger from Controversy on Adelphi Street
The elementary school and the middle school shared a building without strife. But when one school felt compelled to grow, tensions arose around race, class and space.
In Public School Reform, What Can Private Money Buy?
Bill Gates has donated more than $5 billion to improve U.S. schools. But he sees little bang for all those bucks. What do other philanthropists—and the school systems who've benefited from them—think they have to show for what's been spent?
New York's School Principals Struggle Quietly Amid Teacher Controversies
The headlines are full of concerns about teacher tenure, teacher pensions, teacher layoffs. What do some of the city's principals have to say about the challenges their schools face?
Music Lessons Improve Lives, Rarely Available In NYC Schools
As the city faces financial hardship again, some arts education activists worry that New York schools are turning their backs on teaching the arts.
Pedagogy and Profits: Charter School Bid Raises Questions
One of the 16 proposed charter schools tapped for a final round of consideration has close links to a private company with family ties to a top state education official.
Activists Demand Changes To School Disciplinary Practices
About 100 education activists gathered Tuesday afternoon to rally behind a city bill designed to increase the transparency and accountability of disciplinary practices in New York City schools.
We Won 'Race To The Top' Money. Now What?
One thing that is clear, and of concern to many advocates and educators, is that the money isn’t going to particular school-based programs.
In School, Homeless Kids Face A Different Test
Homeless children struggle with more than reading and math. They're challenged to stay connected to schools as their families search for shelter.
Harlem Program Scrutinized, Obama Initiative Cut
Congress is contemplating a major reduction to President Obama's flagship anti-poverty program, as its model—the Harlem Children's Zone—faces new questions about results.
State Education Test Scores Take Nosedive
Elementary and middle school students statewide scored far worse this year on their annual state math and English exams. For New York City, it was the first year-to-year decline in at least four years.
Public Advocate: DOE Mishandling School Closings And Co-locations
1.1 million students attend over 1,700 New York City public schools every year. While all institutions fall under one system, some schools have less resources and more demands for ensuring the proper education of their students.
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Beyond Elites, College Readiness Is Low - Helen Zelon
In his annual address, Mayor Bloomberg touted increased college readiness in the city's high schools. But more than half the students deemed college ready attend New York's top-ranked facilities.
Closing Schools More Poor, Less White - Jarrett Murphy
Schools the Bloomberg administration has targeted for closure have student populations demographically different from the average facility. And many had absorbed an increasing number of struggling students.
Schools Targeted for Closure Serve Kids with Higher Needs - Helen Zelon
Schools on the new DOE closure list serve more low-income, special ed and English-learning students than the system as a whole. Is the city simply fighting for poor kids to get the best, or applying unfair expectations in a way that disrupts students' lives?
School Progress Reports Suggest Grad Rate Trouble Ahead - Helen Zelon
The DOE's report cards are out for high schools. Amid higher standards, fewer schools notched the highest grades. With graduation criteria about to tighten, what do the numbers bode for the class of 2012 and beyond?
Cheat Sheet for Parents: Understanding School Progress Reports - Helen Zelon
The grades are out, and so is the list of schools that might close because of them. But what's the difference between an A and a B when the DOE grades its 1,700 schools?
Survey: NYers Would Pay More for Better Schools - Jarrett Murphy
A new survey finds that New Yorkers generally think the city's schools have improved and are willing to pay more in taxes to fund education. But among political priorities, creating jobs edges out schools.
Searching For Stability At Robeson High - City Limits
Watch a video interview about the challenges confronting one Brooklyn High School: A dwindling student population, reduced class offerings and the third principal in about a year.
EVENTS
New York Baby Show
Saturday, May 18, 2013
10:00p - 4:00p
SHAVUOT FAMILY CELEBRATION!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
12:00p - 3:00p
6TH ANNUAL SHRED FEST
Sunday, May 19, 2013
:p - 4:00p
CONVERSATIONS/OPINONS
School Gun Violence Solutions from Kids
Conservatives want armed guards in the schools. Some liberals want to call in the National Guard if school violence threatens. What do those at risk—kids in school—say we should do after Newtown?
Demography & Destiny: College Readiness in New York
When Mayor Bloomberg took charge of New York's schools, he highlighted wide racial gaps in school achievement as a rationale for reform. A new study finds those disparities persist—and suggests ways to address them.
On Special Ed, School Dept. Must Do its Homework
This school year the city has undertaken a dramatic transformation of special education to try to improve student achievement. While applauding the push, these writers believe the city has put more resources into the classrooms where special ed kids are now learning.
A History Lesson as NYC School Tests Near
Next month, city students take the standardized tests on which their progress, and perhaps the fates of their teachers and schools, depend—all amid a debate over testing that, this writer observes, is nothing new.
Kickball & Other Games Adults Play with Education Reform
The current education reform climate reminds this writer of a 4th grade kickball game: Elites select their favorites, unions fight for the ball—and parents and students wonder when someone will pick them to play.
MULTIMEDIA
Plan to Fix Bilingual Education
Agreement between the New York State Education Department and New York City school system to improve the education of English Language Learners.
IBO Report On School Closures
The IBO compares schools slated for closure with other facilities, and finds the targeted schools post relatively poor performance, but also serve populations that face steeper challenges.
PHOTO SLIDESHOWS
Beyond CityTime
An Investigation of Private Consultants in the Bloomberg Administration
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College and Community FellowshipCITY LIMITS EVENTS
Defining Brooklyn Launch
City Limits celebrates the launch of its March 2011 issue: Defining Brooklyn.The 35th Anniversary Celebration
City Limits celebrates its 35th Anniversary at BMCC in Tribeca.Brooklyn Bureau Launch
The Brooklyn Bureau launch as part of Social Media Week 2012.Tackling Poverty
The Tackling Poverty Series at Galapagos Art Space in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn.Tackling Poverty (Manhattan)
City Limits & the Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness
