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Advocacy ~ Integration ~ New York
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A Year In Review and Next Steps
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Dear Friends:
Itʹs been nothing short of an amazing year for New York Appleseed. Our advocacy
with IntegrateNYC4me and Orrick, Herrington, & Sutcliffe has resulted in groundbreaking changes in the enrollment policies of the New York City Department of Education ‐‐ changes that not only provide immediate benefits to children of low‐income families, but that also pave the way for structural changes for all of our schools.
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November
The New York City Department of Education announced a diversity pilot program. This pilot program builds on our 2012 breakthrough with the PS 133 student-assignment plan by ensuring that underserved children continue to have access to seven more of the city's most popular elementary schools. This victory was the result of nearly two years of sustained advocacy to the de Blasio administration.
New York Times Article with quotes from Executive Director David Tipson
December
The Department released the first report required by the new School Diversity Accountability Act -- legislation New York Appleseed and Orrick strongly encouraged the City Council to pass in 2015. The report announced that the Department had expanded the number of Educational Option high schools while reducing the number of screened high schools ‐‐ a key recommendation of New York Appleseedʹs Within Our Reach series of reports.
Click to read more
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January
In January the Panel on Eductional Policy took a major step with the removal of a problematic footnote from the Chancellor's Regulations that seemingly restricted the ability of the Department to pursue racial diversity--also an important New York Appleseed goal. Orrick's Rene Kathawala worked with integration advocates in achieving this important victory over the fall and winter.
Click here to hear David Tipson speaking about the footnote on WNYC.
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February
U.S. Secretary of Education John King, Jr. announced a budget request for a national Stronger Together grant program. Stronger Together will essentially expand to the entire nation the Socioeconomic Integration Pilot Program that New York Appleseed worked with Mr. King and his staff to create when he was Commissioner of Education for New York State.
Click here to read more
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May
In May Chancellor of Schools Carmen Fariña invited all principals and superintendents to propose their own diversity admissions plans. This announcement essentially expanded the opportunity to participate in the diversity pilot program to all schools.
Click to read more
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June
The Chancellor indicated that her strongest actions against segregation were yet to come and committed to making school integration a priority in the coming school year. The depth and rigor of this new commitment will ultimately depend on the collective action of advocates, educators, and other community leaders....
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So What's Next?
As the new school year ramps up, New York Appleseed is encouraged by recent developments. But there is still much work to do. Please visit our new Facebook page and website to see how you can help us advocate for diverse and equitable schools in New York City and its metro area.
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Keep an eye out for our monthly newsletter, subscribe and share with your friends. Have a great month!
The New York Appleseed Team
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New York Appleseed is part of a nonprofit network of 17 public interest justice centers in the U.S. and Mexico, Appleseed is dedicated to building a society in which opportunities are genuine, access to justice is universal and equal, and government advances the public interest.
Learn More About Us
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