Decisive Victories Across the City Underscore the Power of Parent-Led Movement for Bold Education Reform

NEW YORK – In the first major citywide test of political strength this election season, StudentsFirstNY-backed candidates for City Council delivered decisive wins across New York City in the final Democratic primary results. The education advocacy group, which mobilized public school parents in six key races, saw five of its supported candidates win, a reflection of the growing grassroots movement calling for bold action and accountability in New York City’s public schools.

“As final results confirm, parent power won at the ballot box. Our grassroots coalition propelled five pro-student candidates to victory across the city – a big success that shows families are demanding bold change in our schools,” said Crystal McQueen-Taylor, Executive Director of StudentsFirstNY. “Public-school parents knocked on thousands of doors, made calls, and shared their stories with neighbors. Regardless of who is in City Hall next year, StudentsFirstNY will keep organizing, growing this movement, and fighting for excellent public education for every child, in every zip code.”

NEW YORK–StudentsFirstNY thanked Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams and the State Legislature today for standing with New York City public school students by agreeing to extend mayoral accountability.

Earlier this month, StudentsFirstNY announced a seven-figure public campaign to encourage Albany to extend mayoral accountability this year. You can watch StudentsFirstNY’s ad here.

This week, over 100 parents and students rallied in Albany to demand mayoral accountability appear in the final budget agreement.

In March, StudentsFirstNY released “Dysfunction Junction: A History of NYC Schools Before Mayoral Accountability,” a landmark report outlining the history of New York City’s failed experiment with decentralized leadership of its schools. That experiment - which began in 1969 and ended in 2002 - saw corruption and incompetence flourish under the Board of Education’s leadership. It delivered a system where no single person could be held accountable for failures in public schools.

Crystal McQueen-Taylor, Executive Director of StudentsFirstNY: "The Governor and the Mayor deserve immense credit for brokering a deal that extends the best governance structure for New York City's public school students. Mayoral accountability gives parents a voice - all while delivering better results than any alternative. We're thrilled to have played a part in this agreement, and we’re more energized than ever to fight for a great public education for every student in New York.” 

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StudentsFirstNY is a grassroots education advocacy organization dedicated to improving public school options throughout New York State.

Group activates New Yorkers to turn out for champions of parent choice

NEW YORK—New Yorkers for a Balanced Albany’s involvement delivered huge wins in crucial legislative races during last night’s primary election, highlighted by a win for Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman in District 56. The victories meant four champions of parent choice - three incumbents and one challenger in an open seat - will be sent to Albany ahead of the 2025 legislative session.

“Parent power is unstoppable in New York,” said Crystal McQueen-Taylor, Executive Director of StudentsFirstNY, which is affiliated with New Yorkers for a Balanced Albany. “We out-worked, out-organized, and out-messaged the opposition because this crop of candidates believes in a great public education for every student. They earned New York parents’ trust, and we’re proud to give them the support they need to fight for us in Albany.”

No outside group in the state did more to win these four races than New Yorkers for a Balanced Albany. Their action for these champions included:

NEW YORK–StudentsFirstNY today responded to SUNY’s authorization of nine new downstate charter schools. These new schools were approved after StudentsFirstNY fought in Albany for a deal, passed in 2023, to reopen ‘zombie’ charters in New York City.

Crystal McQueen-Taylor, Executive Director of StudentsFirstNY: “Nine new charter schools will make all the difference for the families who have been waiting for a school that meets their child’s needs in their community. But this authorization will leave talented, innovative, diverse operators who are ready to serve families on the outside looking in. In New York City, supply and demand are still tragically mismatched. And I will not rest until all students have the great public education they deserve and that parents demand.”

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StudentsFirstNY is a grassroots education advocacy organization dedicated to improving public school options throughout New York State.

New York–In case you missed it, StudentsFirstNY Executive Director Crystal McQueen-Taylor joined WCNY’s The Capitol Pressroom yesterday to discuss  wins for parent choice in the 2024 Democratic primary elections, the future of pro-charter legislation in Albany, and more. 

New Yorkers for a Balanced Albany, which is affiliated with StudentsFirstNY, delivered huge wins in crucial legislative races, highlighted by a win for Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman in District 56. The victories meant four champions of parent choice - three incumbents and one challenger in an open seat - will be sent to Albany ahead of the 2025 legislative session.

Listen to the full interview here. 

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StudentsFirstNY is a grassroots education advocacy organization dedicated to improving public school options throughout New York State.