citymeetings.nyc

Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.

QUESTION

Have individuals in decision-making positions taught in New York City public schools, and why does classroom size matter?

0:42:07

·

102 sec

Video Player is loading.

Current TimeÂ 0:00

DurationÂ 0:00

Loaded: 0%

Stream TypeÂ LIVE

Remaining TimeÂ 0:00

Â

Council member Rita C. Joseph highlights the importance of having decision-makers with teaching experience in NYC public schools, focusing on the issue of class size.

Superintendent Khalek Kirkland has teaching experience in NYC schools; however, Dan Weisberg, First Deputy Chancellor, does not.
Joseph emphasizes that decision-makers often lack firsthand teaching experience, affecting the understanding of crucial issues like class size.
She argues that smaller class sizes provide better emotional and academic support.
Funding mismanagement is criticized for leading to larger class sizes, despite under-enrollment.
Joseph advocates for adherence to laws that support educational improvements and stresses the necessity of including educators' perspectives in decision-making processes.

Rita C. Joseph

0:42:07

Do you hold a teacher as a school administrator's license?

0:42:10

Have you ever taught as a near city public schools and New York City schools?

Khalek Kirkland

0:42:14

Proudly, yes.

Dan Weisberg

0:42:17

No.

0:42:17

No.

Rita C. Joseph

0:42:20

So here's my issue.

0:42:22

The people that are making the decisions have never taught in New York City public schools.

0:42:28

For 2 decades, I talked to New York City Schools, one of the biggest drivers for our educators was a class size.

0:42:38

So class size does matter.

0:42:39

It matters to me, and it matters to all of my educators across the city.

0:42:43

So in order for us to get it right, we also need people at the table, and that's why we had the working group.

0:42:48

So that's why I'm a little bothered that some of the recommendations were not applied.

0:42:53

To New York City Schools.

0:42:56

We see we see report after reports.

0:42:58

Smaller classes provide better support, emotionally, academically, individualized as well.

0:43:05

And I wanna correct something under enrolled schools, does not mean there's less classrooms.

0:43:12

Actually, kids are bunched up more in classrooms because of SFS fund FSF Funding.

0:43:18

So let's get that right.

0:43:19

I wanna make sure that's on the record and that's right.

0:43:21

See, that's one thing I always tell everybody before you come up before me do your homework.

0:43:26

We know that for a fact.

0:43:28

If enrollment is tied to students, there's no way you're gonna have smaller classes.

0:43:32

Because you got a bunch of kids in there, 30, 35 kids, and not enough teachers to teach.

0:43:38

So that's why we must apply the law.

0:43:40

And this is not because somebody told me, this is because I lift it.

0:43:45

I worked it for 22 years.

0:43:48

So I wanna make sure we get it right.

← Previous Chapter

Does class size influence the quality of instruction?

Next Chapter →

How is the Department of Education consulting on and planning to reduce class size?