"Running the nation's largest public school system requires more than good intentions. It requires leadership able to make coordinated decisions, direct resources where they are most needed, and be accountable for the results."
"It was a system built to serve adults, not educate children. The consequences for students were stark. In 2001, fewer than half of New York City students graduated from high school and roughly one in five dropped out."
"When families demanded answers, there was no clear line of responsibility. Power was so widely dispersed that blame could always be passed along. Mayoral control changed that by creating both accountability and a direct line of responsibility."
New York City's public school governance has faced collective amnesia regarding the pre-mayoral control era, characterized by fragmentation and corruption. Before mayoral control, authority was divided among various boards, leading to decisions influenced by patronage rather than student needs. The system prioritized adult interests over education, resulting in low graduation rates and high dropout rates, particularly among Black and Hispanic students. Mayoral control aimed to centralize authority, improve accountability, and ensure that decisions were made with a focus on student outcomes.
Read at City & State NY
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