Statement on NYC Public Schools Admissions Announcement

New York, NY — Following the announcement this morning by New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks on changes to admissions for middle and high schools, Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statement:  

“Sorting children into pathways that have immense power to determine their futures, based on their grades when they are eight- or nine-years-old, is inconsistent with a vision for a city where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. 

“Restoring middle-school screens will reinforce segregation in our schools. It elevates the notion that some children deserve “good schools” while the vast majority do not. The Chancellor said this morning, ‘If you’re working hard and you’re making the grade you should not be thrown into a lottery with just everybody.’ But we are talking here about eight- and nine-year-old kids. Every single one deserves the best education we can provide.  

“In many efforts, Chancellor David Banks has shown his dedication to inclusion – welcoming students from migrant families into our schools, expanding access to PSAL teams to any student, celebrating the incorporation of AAPI history into the social studies curriculum. But replicating programs that create barriers, such as the proposed accelerated learning academies, does not eliminate the barriers most students face and does not significantly move the needle on scarcity.  

“The work that the Department of Education has done in recent years to reduce school segregation – after decades of ignoring it – has been some of the most hopeful work in our schools. The District 15 Diversity Plan, developed through a deeply thoughtful and inclusive planning process, holds promise for what we can do when we are committed to the values of inclusive multiracial democracy. Earlier this month, I had the chance to visit Arts & Letters 305 United in District 13, created by a merger of two segregated schools, where they are creating a far-better whole.  

“Initiatives that advance integration and inclusion and are centered around strong community engagement increase high quality educational options for all families. So I was relieved to learn today that the District 15 Diversity Plan, the voluntary diversity-in-admission program, and the end to the use of attendance as a screen will continue.   Unfortunately, today’s announcement walks back the commitment to move forward across the city toward that vision – despite local law that requires more districts to engage in diversity planning.  

“At most, restoring middle school screens will enable a very small percentage of New York City’s students to access schools with high expectations, while the vast majority will wind up with schools with fewer high-achieving students, a greater percentage of students experiencing poverty, lower expectations, and less attention to enrichment in their learning. Meanwhile, data released just yesterday shows that only 38% of NYC students in grades 3-8 show proficiency when assessed on the state math test, and most of them attend schools that had their budgets cut this year. And it’s worth remembering that all of these kids are still emerging from the trauma of the pandemic. This should be a year that’s about helping our students heal and grow together – not about competition to divide them. 

“Only by working to make our schools more inclusive of children of all backgrounds and abilities do we truly create a system where every school is a good school, and all children can have an enriching academic experience that allows them to reach their full potential.” 

###