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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Isabella Mason, Student at Midwood High School, on Journalism Programs in NYC Public Schools
2:36:04
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Isabella Mason, a senior at Midwood High School, testifies about the importance of journalism programs in NYC public schools and the disparities in resources between charter and public schools. She advocates for the expansion of journalism programs across all NYC public high schools, highlighting their role in promoting democracy and providing valuable experience for students' futures.
- Mason shares her personal experience with both charter and public schools, emphasizing the stark difference in available resources.
- She discusses her involvement in journalism programs at her current school and how they benefit her education and future prospects.
- Mason supports Introduction 1057 and calls for the Department of Education to partner in expanding journalism programs to all NYC public high schools.
Isabella Mason
2:36:04
Good afternoon.
2:36:05
My name is Isabella Mason, and I'm a senior at Midwood High School represented by fair council member, Farrah Lewis.
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Thank you for hearing our stories today.
2:36:11
I grew up within the charter school system.
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And now, attending a public high school that receives so much funding, the disparities between these two schools are night and day.
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My middle school, located in the middle of Brownsville, was devoid of resources.
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My high school, with computer cards and digital boards in every classroom and an abundance of college and career resources readily available.
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I am so fortunate to have access to both a journalism class and a school newspaper, both of which I am part of.
2:36:35
These program pro these program these program options provide me an outlet to explore my passion for advocacy and social justice and and gain invaluable experience for my college and career future.
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For example, I'm working on an article about my experience working in the polls for the 2024 presidential election and how inaccessible politics can be for those whose first language isn't English, the elderly, and the disabled.
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For schools that don't have access to to such programs, students are left at a significant disadvantage, unable to explore a field vital to an active democracy.
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Throughout journalism's history, we've seen what stories get published and who gets published, with black and brown writers consistently excluded.
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This disparity persists today, and we see it in New York City's high school system, where schools in low income and predominantly minority communities don't receive adequate funding.
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Meaning that crucial programs like journalism are left out of curriculum, not even an option for students.
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The urgency of expanding journalism programs across all New York City public high schools cannot be understated.
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This vision of journalism programs at all 500 plus New York City public high schools can only come from close partnership with the DOE.
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The Coalition's Journalism For All initiative was sparked by students meeting with DOE leadership.
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2 years later, we are seeing encouraging signals from DOE, particularly the office of student pathways and several superintendent offices who encourage schools in their district to apply for the journalism for all initiative.
2:37:56
We are ready to walk the walk and expect DOE to to join us in supporting introduction 1057, demonstrating not only a commitment to our city's students, but a commitment to the future of our democracy.
2:38:07
Thank you.