Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his most ambitious education plan to date in a speech Wednesday morning in a Bronx high school, pledging to spend up to $186 million on new initiatives aimed at lifting all the city’s public high school students into college.
His proposal to raise graduation rates up to 80 percent by 2026 was met with cheers from the crowd of parents, politicians, and educators at Bronx Latin School in Longwood, a high-achieving public school that has already met that goal. The school is an anomaly in a borough that continues to record the lowest graduation rates in the city.
“Each and every child in each and every classroom deserves a future that isn’t limited by the zip code of their birth,” said the mayor, standing under an “Equity and Excellence” banner, signaling his administration’s mission to improve all the city’s schools while ensuring every child has access to the same high-level learning opportunities.
The citywide initiative promises $81 million over 10 years to bring computer science to all students from elementary through high school. All eighth graders are expected to have access to algebra at a cost of $19 million per year. More consistent guidance counseling is promised for 6th through 12th graders in districts with the worst graduation rates. De Blasio also pledged to provide college visits for middle and high school students, for a total of $20 million a year.
In keeping with his focus on leveling the playing field for the most disadvantaged students, the mayor proposed free eye exams and free eyeglasses for students in the Renewal schools, and free after school English classes for students and their families.
He laid out a six-step process to evaluate if schools are upholding the plan’s high standards. His framework emphasized establishing a chain of trust throughout the school community that includes students, parents, teachers and city officials. “Great teachers in constant communication with involved parents is what NYC schools are going to be,” said de Blasio.
The mayor plans to fund the initiatives with a combination of public and private dollars. The bulk of the cost is expected to go towards training teachers in areas like coding and robotics.
“It is critical that every student in New York City gets exposure to the concepts and fundamentals of computer science. The New York City Foundation for Computer Science Education is expected to work actively to build out the private part of this historic partnership,” said Fred Wilson, the founder and chairman of the foundation.
Other private investors who have already ponied up include the AOL Charitable Foundation and the Robin Hood Foundation, both pledging $5 million over the next five to 10 years. Only 30 percent of the money has been committed so far, making the support of the City Council essential to the success of the mayor’s plan.
“This is not charity, this is an investment,” said Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “When you give money to public school children who are then going to college, then get jobs and work in your companies, it’s actually an investment in the future of New York City.”
The 10-year plan is set to end after de Blasio leaves office. City Comptroller Scott Stringer applauded the Mayor’s efforts, but acknowledged the city has to follow up with a cost analysis to develop a strategy to funnel money into the project.
By Azadeh Dehghan & Armando Garcia
