Today, more than 9,000 parents, students and educators along with 160 schools are rallying in Albany to draw attention to the failing school crisis in New York, calling for a bold change.
Nina Rees, president and CEO at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released the following statement on the issue…
My heart was in Albany yesterday, with the thousands of students and parents demanding an end to the system that condemns New York City students, mostly poor and minority, to failing schools that have failed to educate children for generations.
They were out in force again in Albany Wednesday, 13,000 strong — demanding better schools for New York’s kids.
Moms, dads, students, teachers. Former WNBA star Lisa Leslie. Grammy Award-winner Ashanti. State pols, like Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate leaders Dean Skelos and Jeff Klein and other lawmakers.
In Albany on Wednesday, Mayor de Blasio said he should be held fully accountable for struggling schools, and that “by virtue of elections, the people get to act on their views.”
But so far, he has done nothing to fix this crisis, and no child in a failing school has three years to wait.
On a day when Mayor de Blasio is traveling to Albany to discuss budget issues, an education reform group on Wednesday is calling on the state to takeover 178 failing schools this fall.
Of the 178 “priority schools” targeted by Families for Excellent Schools, 91 are in New York City.
The schools are ranked among the state’s bottom 5% in performance.
On February 7, celebrated photographer, Jonathan Mannion, recognized for his iconic images of rap’s most influential figures, joined FES in hosting the inaugural “Think Possible” workshop. About the #DontStealPossible movement, Mannion says, “This is something that is close to my heart, and a passion point, so it’s easy to get involved with the betterment of the kids.” His passion was evident throughout the day, as Mannion guided the participating families through his creative process, capturing some endearing moments along the way.