By Ava Stryker-Robbins
On Wednesday, March 30th, newly appointed Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor David Banks joined the District 3 Community Education Council (CEC3) via Zoom for a discussion of his vision for New York City public schools.
Banks, who founded The Eagle Academy for Young Men—the first school in a network of all-boys NYC public schools—spoke of having personally “played all the roles” in the school system. “I was a public school student from kindergarten all the way through to 12th grade, and…I’ve been a teacher and principal.”
Banks acknowledged the challenge the school system faces as a result of losing 120,000 families over the last five years, a decline that began even before the pandemic. “My job more than anything else, is to recreate the kinds of programs and initiatives that would drive parents to come back,” he said.
Throughout the meeting, Banks emphasized that the DOE is not a “one size fits all system,” and is consistently working to reform itself to meet the needs of a diverse population. He aims to increase rigor within all NYC schools, he said, expressing concern that the media often focuses on Specialized High Schools and Gifted & Talented (G&T) programs rather than students in “regular” public schools.
He said that the DOE is investing recovery funds in trying to catch kids up given what has happened as a result of the pandemic. He also emphasized the need to build foundational skills at an earlier age so students do not fall far behind in the first place. He doesn’t want students to only learn how to take tests, but to receive “an engaging and stimulating education,” he said. “I think New York City kids should be encouraged to get around New York City, visit some of the great museums and wonders that we have across the city.”
Some of the topics covered were:
Gifted & Talented Program — Banks plans to expand G&T programs throughout the city, and said he will be making an announcement within the next week or so. He stated that G&T programs will not be eliminated at the Kindergarten level, but said he prefers testing older children, as research does not support the validity of testing four-year-olds.
Reduced class sizes — Banks said the DOE has made “significant investments” to reduce class sizes across the city—not solely in certain school districts — an issue Banks views as a “top priority.” In order to increase the number of seats in “good” public schools, he said that he and Mayor Adams want to build more Specialized schools. He said he does not plan on changing the admissions process for the current Specialized High Schools, though new schools may not have the same admissions criteria.
High School — A longtime source of frustration among parents who apply to public and private/religious high schools has been that these other high schools require a commitment before public school admissions are announced. In response to a parent asking if he would be open to giving public high school results earlier, Banks said “the answer…is yes.”
Career Exposure — Banks spoke of the importance of career focus among high schoolers: “I want all students to get a level of exposure to Career and Technical Education.” He went on to say “I want them to have an opportunity to get internships at places like Google or Microsoft, an investment bank, an architectural firm, or a biotechnology lab….I want them to be on a path to the middle class and beyond.”
“I’m here because I’m deeply committed as a New Yorker,” Banks concluded. “I love this city. I love the people of this city, and I just want to do the best job I can.” He said the way to do that is to act based on ideas that “come from our parents, our families, and our kids themselves.”
They are down 120,000 and that number will increase. Will they spend less money?
No they won’t spend less money. They will add even more administration and waste even more money. Don’t you get it? You work for them.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
It has been 3 months which a significant time. My child is in middle school. So far I haven’t seen any changes. Any ETA on those?
What is being done to help the teachers who are so burned out, asked to do more paperwork, are underpaid and ready to quit?
Wait, what? The same public schools teachers who had a two year paid vacation on the taxpayer dime while the rest of the actual taxpayers had to actually work from home?
You left out the word CHARTER in describing Eagle Academy and Mr. Banks previous role.Why?
because it’s not a charter school?
City press release is misleading and always quoted by the press including WSR. No media has corrected. Certainly seems relevant.Not saying good or bad, just not the full story.
He is moving in the right direction. After utter destruction and hostility of the previous administration, I hope this chancellor succeeds in helping underprivileged kids get a better education. Elevating everyone up ( as opposite to taking everyone down ) is the way to go.
Hello! chancellor Banks. I am a concern parent of a charter public school student. this year has been wonderful so far, My daughter is doing well in most of all her subjects except math, math was the lowest score by less so far this semester. my question is to you? is it important for assessments for grade 4th because my daughter is been harassed by the teacher and called name as a 10 year old black girl. last year her teachers call her bad names and said she scribble on her paper and gave me a hard time as a parent called us all kinds of names as a people of color and called child protection services on me i need your help because I still hurt by this because this new call is doing the same thing but even more hasher with the kids putting their hands on her in school
Chancellor Banks I need your help with a situation that is totally unconformable and down right wrong it hasn’t been address in a professional properly manner with the schools
Will someone from CEC3 or District 3 Superintendent’s office respond here with how Joyce can get help with her serious sounding concerns?
One thing left out of this article: principals. Actually, it was mostly left out of the meeting as well, despite the pleas of parents from PS 333 who are struggling with an unfit principal. But this CEC, led by Lucas Liu, is interested in their G&T programs and little else, so there were repeated questions for Chancellor Banks about that and the problems at other schools were brushed aside.
Yes! There is a serious issue with the principal at PS 333, which was not addressed directly by the Chancellor. After the principal has faced two votes of no confidence from teachers and staff within the last three years, countless complaints and incidents, and an increasingly frustrated community of families, PS 333 needs new leadership now. Please get involved if you are a PS 333 parent or interested community member:
https://www.newmscleadership.com/
I am willing to assist in anyway possible ie; volunteer. Crisis management, conflict resolution etc. Over 30 years od experience in one of the largest agencies in New York.
We need professionals volunteers to work and develop workable programs that can be excused and measured
Sounds good! New York City public schools need a sincere advocate!
Nice to hear a schools chancellor actually talking some sense.
Keep G&T schools and do expand them! Even for hound kids, most importantly expand busing to schools and after school programs. Otherwise how could a low income family be able to afford to bring their kids to such a posh school and pay $3000 for busing and about $5000 for after school..,
I agree with the city being a place for educating our students there they could use their Manners & Etiquette and
to bring along their Self-Esteem
Many students only get there for a field trip this should be ongoing to “Teach Manners Etiquette and Self-Esteem an educational Show & Tell in
in restaurant daily
Expanding G/t programs is a worthy endeavor towards improving the NYC public schools. I applaud the effort.
As a former G/T educator I am somewhat skeptical that this expansion aka inclusion will ultimately lead to the lessening of expectations and a less challenging and enriching curricula?
As the new Chancellor indicated, testing 4 year olds has never been a reliable indicator of giftedness. Whatever assessment measures are used, let’s hope identifying the best and brightest students will help to build back better our public school system and that the investment is worth the effort.
It is a meme that preschool testing is invalid. IQ does not change as a child grows. Taking tests younger reduces the stress older kids feel knowing is a consequential test. No way to hide the nature of the test from grade schooler while parents who choose can avoid stressing out a 4 year old