TESTIMONY
Dwayne Maruel on the Impact of the Class Size Law on High-Need Schools in District 27, Queens
3:16:43
·
3 min
Dwayne Maruel, a parent and activist, expresses concerns about the negative impacts of a uniform class size law on high-need schools, particularly PS 105 in Far Rockaway, District 27, Queens.
- Maruel has been an education activist for decades and emphasizes the need for equitable public education.
- He notes that 94% of students at PS 105 are eligible for free or reduced price lunch, serving primarily low-income, black, and Hispanic families.
- He argues that the class size law, while well-intentioned, could exacerbate educational inequities and make high-need schools less appealing.
- Maruel fears that a uniform class size mandate may prompt the poaching of qualified teachers from high-need to advantaged schools, impacting teacher quality.
- He urges the council and mayor to consider the diverse needs and circumstances of schools and districts in implementing the law.
UNKNOWN
3:16:43
My name is Dwayne Maruel.
3:16:45
And I am the proud father of 3 children.
3:16:48
Now my oldest has already graduated high school and is currently almost ready to graduate college.
3:16:54
And my 2 little ones, ten eight years old, both attend a district, traditional public school, PS 105 to base school out in Far Rockaway.
3:17:05
Now, I personally have been an activist a champion for quality education for well over a decade, several decades actually.
3:17:17
So I've been in this fight for quite some time in New York City, and I have no plans on giving it up even after my children have already gone through the system.
3:17:27
My chill in my children's school, the base school in Faroe Rock Way, it lies within District 27.
3:17:32
Now in District 27 in Queens, It is a high poverty, high need public school serving low income families and queens.
3:17:42
94% of the students are eligible for free or reduced price lunch, and it serves mainly students and families of color.
3:17:50
With 95% of the student population being either black Hispanic or other.
3:17:57
As an educational of this, I've spent years fighting for more equitable public school system, for a more equitable public school system, giving me education, get the exists between high poverty, high need school districts versus districts that serve more affluent students and families.
3:18:13
This is why I was absolutely stunned to find out after doing my research on the bill that it would actually make the schools in the district such as district 27.
3:18:23
Even less appealing than they are today, further widening the achievement gap between high poverty districts and more affluent.
3:18:31
The reason why I believe is because this class size bill is well intentioned.
3:18:35
It definitely is.
3:18:36
And I agree with the mandate to not have our kids sitting in classes of 36 students.
3:18:41
I, personally, when I was in public school, was in a class that had 42 students at that time.
3:18:47
However, that's not the case in all districts across the city.
3:18:51
And as it's written now, the blunt implementation of this law across all school communities would exacerbate inequities within our school system.
3:19:01
Furthermore, I'm extremely concerned that the class size mandate may have a negative impact on teacher quality in schools like PS 105.
3:19:12
This law could lead to advance to advantage school, poaching, teachers from high from the schools that are in Mike's name.
3:19:21
Well, basically, they'll come through and they'll say, hey, it's easier and more, you know, better to work over here.
3:19:27
And if you're already in a high needs area working in those types of schools, I mean, if you want an easier workday, it would pretty much be a no brainer to go over that way.
3:19:37
So in closing, I'm just gonna say, I urge the council and the mayor to make sure that this law is implemented differently than what I've heard so far.
3:19:46
And it needs to take into account the nuanced circumstances and needs of different districts and schools because our students have way too much to lose.