INVEST IN OUR SCHOOLS 

Our children only get one shot at a great education. Sadly, the coronavirus pandemic took a tremendous toll on our children's learning. Moving forward, we need to afford parents and teachers alike the support they need to ensure all students are given every opportunity to succeed. First, New York City needs to expand its 3-K program throughout the city. 

We need to demand reduced class sizes, which have been proven to improve learning. We must also invest in daily physical education which in addition to its health benefits, also yields better learning. We have flagrantly ignored physical education since the pandemic began. Also critical is the investment in our schools’ dual language programs. Studies show that bilingual students have increased cognitive development, better academic achievement, and increased economic opportunities.

We must end school segregation. It is shameful that NYC is the most segregated school district in the nation.  Our children only get one shot at a great education. We must ensure every child, regardless of zip code, gets an excellent public education. The future of our society depends on it. We must confront this issue head-on and work to build integrated schools in every neighborhood.

In the most diverse city in the world, we should ensure language is not a barrier to a quality public education. It’s important to expand gifted and talented programs to all local elementary schools. Speaking with parents, educators, and the kids themselves will be critical to ensuring everyone has a voice in this important aspect of their education.

Lastly, we need a multi-year plan to achieve integration in our public schools. We can implement careful planning to confront segregation in middle schools which created a comprehensive integration plan by listening to parents and educators in every community.

• Build integrated schools

• Reduce class size which has been proven to improve learning

• Expand 3-K programs 

• Invest in daily physical education for health benefits

• Ensure robust bilingual education programs at all schools beginning in Kindergarten

• Expand Gifted and Talented Programs to all local elementary schools to provide access to these resources to all children