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"We're not seeing anything new in Mayor de Blasio's budget that will make a difference to children and families trapped in failing schools. His Renewal Schools program was an expensive flop and he has no new programs to improve teaching and learning, increase school choice, enhance college readiness or address the middle school crisis. If education were a priority for the Mayor, he'd do more than just pay lip service to the issues," said StudentsFirstNY Executive Director Jenny Sedlis.

“Governor Cuomo’s executive budget reaffirms his long held support for public schools and his belief in the critical role charter schools play in improving educational opportunities for the highest need students. The Governor is helping to create the conditions for further growth of high quality charter schools and is giving hope to thousands more children. We commend the Governor and strongly encourage the Senate and Assembly to work together to pass these critical proposals," said StudentsFirstNY Executive Director Jenny Sedlis.

73,000 Students Live in Districts Without a Single Quality Middle School

New York, NY – New analysis by StudentsFirstNY has revealed eight community school districts where zero traditional middle schools meet basic standards. This means that nearly 73,000 NYC families don’t have a quality middle school option. That’s why more than two hundred public school parents took to the steps of City Hall to demand immediate and bold action by Mayor de Blasio to end “Middle School Deserts” in New York City. 

Read the new report.

Statement from StudentsFirstNY's Executive Director Jenny Sedlis:

"Here's City Hall selling favors again -- apparently $350,000 buys you sweetheart deals in the de Blasio administration. Mayor de Blasio's scheme to rate every teacher effective may seal the union's endorsement but it won't help the kids who need better schools now. Mayor de Blasio should be fighting for kids, not the special interests who write him big checks."

CONTACT:
Michael Nitzky
646-565-8184

"New Yorkers defied expectations by rejecting a State Senate that would have turned its back on the needs of all public school students across the state. With the help of New Yorkers for a Balanced Albany, families who believe that every child deserves a great education regardless of their zip code stood up to the special interests to protect our most vulnerable children. We congratulate Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan for his impressive stewardship. We also had tremendous partners in the Real Estate Board of New York."

City Hall Exploits Diploma Mills & Hides Behind Facade of Graduation Rates 

New York, NY – As the school year comes to a close, a shocking new report released today by leading education reform organization StudentsFirstNY, The Graduation Facade: How New York City’s Diploma Mills Mask College Readiness Crisis, exposes the problem of Diploma Mills – schools where the graduation rates are above average, but the students are not prepared for college or a career after high school. Earlier this year, Mayor Bill de Blasio hailed the fact that high school graduation rates ticked up two percentage points, but this data point obscures the fact that college readiness in NYC high schools lags far behind graduation rates.

"What is happening at Boys and Girls High School is just unacceptable. Mayor de Blasio has so far shown that he lacks the leadership and vision to turn around this situation. For the sake of Bed-Stuy parents and students, Mayor de Blasio must hire a leader capable of making Boys and Girls High School a school worthy of this community," said StudentsFirstNY Executive Director Jenny Sedlis.