As students and teachers across New York City prepare to go back to school, we recognize that issues of access and segregation within our school system will be exacerbated this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. New York City has one of the most segregated school systems in the country, which has created extreme pockets of poverty for many majority-POC communities. This disparity has led to lower academic achievement and fewer resources for those schools, including programming or parent fundraising to support arts programs, after-school enrichment, and other activities. While the Department of Education’s Diversity Plan includes small steps toward addressing these issues, even that modest achievement is in danger of being derailed as the COVID-19 pandemic bleeds into this new school year, meaning BIPOC and low-income students are in danger of being even more impacted by institutional racism..
Roughly 61% of students will return to school in a blended format of remote/in-school learning by September 21, but the problems of unequal access to resources and technology that supports remote learning have not been solved. Teachers have also expressed concerns over their safety and the safety of their students — especially after 55 Department of Education (DOE) staff tested positive for the virus after returning to their buildings in the last week. There were also reports of bugs, unsanitary conditions, lack of PPE, and inadequate ventilation that has already shut down 21 schools leading the United Federation of Teachers to ask for a delayed opening until conditions improve. This coupled with other staffing issues and a deficit of nurses for each school will only further exacerbate problems.
And these conditions will likely worsen for schools that cater to Black, Brown, and low-income students if Governor Cuomo cuts aid by 20%, which would result in the loss of 9,000 DOE jobs. This cut would disproportionately take from high-need schools, which traditionally serve mostly Black and Brown students. High-need school districts will face a $2,626 per student cut, while wealthier school districts — which can absorb a cut and maintain programming, staffing and student services — are facing a per student cut of just $873. This is another example of Cuomo’s trend of balancing the state budget at the expense of students who need funding the most.
In response to everything above, statewide rallies were held on Saturday with demands including access to high speed internet and devices for every student funded by an increase in taxes on the ultra rich.
Want to get involved? Here are some ways to take action this week:
Connect with others interested in organizing around education in NYC at SURJ’s Educator/Parent Meeting (interest form here) or Youth Meeting (interest form here).
Sign and share the Petition to Stop Unsafe Reopening
Email your State Assemblymember and Senator to demand a stop to cuts.
Attend or speak at an Education Council meeting for your school district (virtual monthly meetings)
Make connections and organize with others in your community
Show up, listen, and support diversity work in your school district