PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Elizabeth Bird, Director of Public Policy at Educational Alliance
3:24:07
·
146 sec
Elizabeth Bird, representing Educational Alliance, testified about their experience with the Summer Rising program and provided recommendations for improvement. The organization served 817 students across 5 school communities, offering a curriculum focused on cross-cultural exchange.
- Key operational challenges were identified in contracts, data systems, transportation, and services for students with disabilities.
- Recommendations included timely contract approvals, a centralized data system, increased transportation options, and better support for students with disabilities.
- Bird emphasized the importance of Summer Rising for both educational equity and as reliable childcare for working parents.
Elizabeth Bird
3:24:07
Thank you, chairs.
3:24:08
For the opportunity to testify today.
3:24:11
My name is Elizabeth Bird.
3:24:12
I'm director of public policy at Educational Alliance.
3:24:15
We're a settlement house on Manhattan Flooring side.
3:24:18
In summer 2024, Educational Alliance served 817 students as a lead CBO partner at 5 school communities on the Lorraine side through the summarizing initiative.
3:24:29
Our curriculum immersed students in across cultural exchange where they explored various nationalities and cultures through language, food tastings, art, and fashion.
3:24:38
And we believe that summarizing provides opportunities for kids to engage in new experiences and connect with their peers in a positive environment.
3:24:48
Yet, we despite the important work and individual successes of summarizing, there are key operational challenges in 4 key areas.
3:24:56
Contracts, data systems, transportation, and services for students with disabilities.
3:25:01
My written testimony provides all the specifics about these challenges, but I wanted to just reiterate several recommendations to improve efficiency.
3:25:10
Number 1, approve contracts no later than 6 weeks before programming begins this year.
3:25:15
We had just days to get our program up and running as contracts and move in dates were not finalized until the very end of June.
3:25:22
And our programming began July 2nd to commit to a centralized data system for coordinated guidance and communication between all three agencies.
3:25:31
Currently, we must work with separate data systems between DOE and BYCD, and data is not always current.
3:25:39
Number 3, increase transportation options to allow students to participate in the full program each day.
3:25:45
For many of our students who depended on yellow bus service, the buses, as you know, pick them up at VPN.
3:25:52
And number 4, equitable ensure equitable access for students with disabilities, like everybody has said today, CBOs need better information from DOE about what a combination students need in order to fully participate in programming.
3:26:07
If a student's IEP requires a 1 on 1 pair of professional, the city should provide one for the full day of summer programming and not just the morning academic portion.
3:26:17
We commend the city's ongoing commitment to summer programming and summer rising and believe it is an important step towards universal access and increased equity, but it's also really necessary for working parents who need reliable childcare during summer months.
3:26:32
Thank you for the opportunity.
