Page 14 - The Indian EYE 062824

COMMUNITY OP-ED JUNE 28, 2024 | The Indian Eye 14

Education that Lifts Up All of Our Students

“NYC Solves,” is a major citywide initiative to make mathematics more accessible for all

students — no matter where they go to school or what language they speak at home

ERIC ADAMS

s New York City’s first openly
dyslexic mayor, I know what it
Ais like to not have the support I
needed in school growing up. School
was often difficult for me. I was scared
of being called on by the teacher and
my fellow students made fun of me. I
know how important it is that our chil-
dren have a bright start and the sup-
port they need for a bold future. In just two years, our administration has implemented a major initiative, “NYC Reads,” to fundamentally change how students learn to read liter-
That is why this administration acy as the core focus and priority of New York City’s public schools (File/Agency photo)
is investing in upstream solutions in
our education system, creating con-
ditions that improve outcomes for all ers and students with disabilities, so workers and psychologists, and much students summer programming. We
our students. We don’t want our chil- that every student can be prepared more. Our mandated universal dys- are committed to helping students en-
dren to fall behind because they learn for a rewarding career and long-term lexia screening for all students are ter the workforce with programs like
differently, we want them to start out economic security — no matter their helping us get students the support FutureReadyNYC that connect our
ahead. And this week we are taking background or ability. they need early on, and we have cre- students to apprenticeships that lead
another big step forward with two ma- The work of DIAL will be guid- ated the first-ever public school dedi- to good-paying careers. This work has
jor initiatives: a new vision for special ed by external voices through a new cated to supporting students with dys- resulted in students earning a cumula-
education and a new math curriculum, advisory council charged with helping lexia and related learning disabilities. tive $8.2 million from paid work expe-
“NYC Solves.” shape support systems for immigrant We have also provided over riences at top companies over the past
“NYC Solves,” is a major citywide students and their families, so that we 42,000 students with offers for a 3-K two years alone.
initiative to make mathematics more can improve educational opportuni- seat — an increase of 300 percent in Our New York City Public
accessible for all students — no mat- ties and outcomes for every student. the last five years, and we are continu- Schools chancellor, David Banks, and
ter where they go to school or what These two new initiatives build on ing to work to ensure that every child I are both graduates of the New York
language they speak at home. This the generational investments we have who wants an early childhood educa- City school system, and we are com-
new program will revolutionize how already made in public education. tion seat will have access to one. We mitted to continuing our city’s legacy
algebra is taught in schools and en- In just two years, our administra- have also added 57 Gifted and Talent- of excellence in public education. We
sure that all our students have foun- tion has implemented a major initia- ed programs citywide and added over are not going to allow another Eric to
dational math skills and are being tive, “NYC Reads,” to fundamentally 26,000 classroom seats through major sit in the classroom, hoping not to be
encouraged to excel in mathematics change how students learn to read construction and modernization proj- called on. We are making sure that ev-
at every level. literacy as the core focus and priority ects. I am also pleased to report that ery student has access to the support
We are also creating the Division of New York City’s public schools. We nine new schools will open in the com- and resources they need. We are lift-
of Inclusive and Accessible Learning have also invested over $600 million ing school year, including a new high ing up our young people and putting
(DIAL), which will be led by a new to protect critical programs that were school focused on health care. them on a pathway to a bright future
Deputy Chancellor for Inclusive and funded with temporary stimulus dol- And because we know that learn- and making sure that our education
Accessible Learning Christina Foti. lars, including arts funding, teacher ing doesn’t only take place in the system remains unmatched anywhere
This new division will utilize a $750 recruitment efforts, restorative justice classroom and during the school year, in this nation.
million budget and 1,300 staff to fo- programming, computer science pro- we have expanded popular programs Eric Adams is the Mayor of
cus on supporting multilingual learn- grams, “Civics for All,” school social like Summer Rising to bring 110,000 New York City, NY

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