PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by CJ Sanchez, Leader of New York City Youth Journalism Coalition and Former Teacher, on Student Journalism in NYC Schools
2:28:14
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132 sec
CJ Sanchez, representing the New York City Youth Journalism Coalition, testified about the state of student journalism in NYC public schools and the need for Introduction 1057. They highlighted the disparity in access to student newspapers between schools with different poverty rates and discussed the "Journalism for All" initiative to address these inequities.
- Only 27% of NYC public high schools have a student paper, with a stark divide based on school poverty rates (72% in low-poverty schools vs. 6% in high-poverty schools)
- The Coalition has raised $1.2 million in private funding to create journalism programs in 30 NYC public high schools
- Introduction 1057 would help measure ongoing inequity and progress in expanding student journalism opportunities
CJ Sanchez
2:28:14
Good afternoon.
2:28:15
My name is CJ Sanchez.
2:28:16
Thank you for convening this hearing.
2:28:18
I'm a former public school teacher, and now I have the honor of leading the New York City Youth Journalism Coalition, which is a citywide collective of students, educators, newsrooms, DOE schools, higher education institutions, and nonprofits, all united to expand journalism opportunities for newsrooms, DOE schools, higher education institutions, and nonprofits, all united to expand journalism opportunities for New York City youth.
2:28:35
I'm eager to pass the mic to the students beside me who are missing school to take part in this important civic process.
2:28:42
Before I do, I just want to provide some context on the momentum happening beyond these walls and how introduction 1057 would bolster it.
2:28:50
We have right now just a snapshot of the dire state of student journalism in New York City.
2:28:55
According to a 2022 survey, only 27% of public high schools have a student paper.
2:29:01
Even more alarming is how this access is sharply divided along socioeconomic lines.
2:29:06
In the 50 schools with the lowest poverty rates, 72% have a paper.
2:29:11
Meanwhile, in the 50 schools with the highest poverty rates, only 6% do.
2:29:17
We've been crafting solutions to address this disparity sparked by a roundtable 2 years ago where students and DOE leadership envisioned the future of journalism in our schools.
2:29:26
Now with the backing of our day 1 champions, Chair Rita Joseph and the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, the Coalition is launching Journalism for All, a public private partnership to create and sustain journalism programs in 30 New York City public high schools next fall.
2:29:41
Introduction 1057 will allow us to not only measure the ongoing inequity, but also our progress towards addressing it.
2:29:48
We've raised $1,200,000 in private funding towards this initiative, and we received applications from 55 schools spanning 30 city council districts.
2:29:58
Another 60 schools expressed interest but couldn't commit due to outstanding capacity challenges.
2:30:04
Student journalism is clearly in high demand and in need of large scale support.
2:30:09
Today's inequity goes beyond numbers.
2:30:11
When access to journalism is limited to certain students, so is the ability to tell their stories and shape their communities.
2:30:18
Together, we can ensure that every student has the tools to shape the future of our city, starting with these 5 here today.
2:30:25
Thank you.
