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UFT Testimony

Testimony regarding efforts to help struggling schools

UFT Testimony

Testimony of UFT Vice President for Middle Schools Richard Mantell before the City Council Committee on Education

Good afternoon and thank you, Chairman Dromm and members of this distinguished committee, for the opportunity to speak today on the state of New York City’s “renewal” schools.

My name is Richard Mantell and I am the vice president for middle schools for the United Federation of Teachers. Every day, our members serve the 1.1 million students who attend the New York City public schools. On behalf of our members and our president, Michael Mulgrew, thank you for your tireless advocacy on behalf of the children in your districts.

Each and every day, the UFT fights for our students and our school communities. We strongly believe that every child who attends one of the city’s public schools deserves a great education.

This underlying principle guided our thoughts in collective bargaining last year, which resulted in a contract that included the addition of dedicated time for professional development and parent engagement, two initiatives which are proven strategies in enhancing teacher skills and building strong home/school partnerships. What’s more, it is also the reason that we, as a union, have fought so hard for additional state funding, smaller classes, community schools, PROSE schools, and the expansion of universal prekindergarten.

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As we begin the ambitious work of improving the renewal schools, we are fully aware of the challenges we face and understand what’s at stake.

Under the Bloomberg administration, students were warehoused, funding was inequitably allocated, schools were starved of resources, and the city ultimately closed more than 150 schools, leaving unaddressed the root issues that led to their struggles. Far worse, the underlying issues followed the students to the next school, where they continued to fester. It was a destructive and harmful policy.

In stark contrast, Mayor Bill de Blasio and his administration are supporting struggling schools, and believe that these schools can succeed if they’re given the resources they so desperately need.

In fact, in spite of the difficulties in obtaining the education funding from the state-stipulated Campaign for Fiscal Equity settlement, the de Blasio administration is investing more than $397 million in the School Renewal Program over three years. That investment translates into the hiring of teachers, coaches, social workers and mental health professionals to tackle the pressing issues in each building. Teachers at these schools are receiving more one-on-one mentoring and professional development.

What’s more, schools are being paired with non-profits and other agencies, which can deliver a whole host of programs and services to students and their families, including healthcare and counseling. It’s a holistic “community schools” approach that studies have consistently said is an effective one, with each school developing an action plan that addresses its unique needs.

This type of approach is critical: The depth of need among New York City students is huge, and our renewal schools have high percentages of the children who need our support the most. As you know, many of our students come through our doors without school supplies, or breakfast, and often they are underdressed – many don’t have warm coats or shoes that fit. Many haven't seen a doctor or dentist in years. Others need glasses or hearing aids, and even when it’s a known problem, parents don’t have the money to buy them. Some come from troubled homes where just getting through the evening is a challenge, much less finding a quiet space to do homework. And many don’t even have a home to call their own.   The renewal school model sees these challenges not as excuses, but as issues which our community must address to ensure that all kids enter their classrooms with an equal opportunity to learn.

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The concept of “renewal” is one for which we advocated and, of course, support. Thanks to the mayor’s actions, early indicators tell us that these schools are in the beginning stages of stabilization after years of upheaval – a major step forward. When a school community is properly supported, as opposed to publicly vilified, the whole building begins to breathe normally again.

We have teams on the ground visiting renewal schools each week; we’ve made 400 visits since September, and what we’re observing is promising. We’re seeing staff members revitalized, embracing the mission at hand and coming to work with a renewed sense of commitment.

In fact, we’re seeing viable progress across the board. The 2014-15 School Quality Report data tells us that 87 percent of renewal schools are moving in the right direction. In comparison, last year, nearly one-third failed to meet targets for student achievement. Breaking it down even further, of the 63 elementary and middle schools in the renewal program, 25 schools are meeting their targets in student achievement. In 2014, only two did. The renewal schools also made gains in the number of students proficient in ELA and math that are comparable to students in non-renewal schools.

Through the School Renewal Program, the teachers, the school leadership and the DOE are working together to bring real change to these schools. For example, PS 298 in Brooklyn is working with the Partnership for Children to offer counseling and other supports to students. With targeted reading programs, teachers can give additional help to students during the extended learning time. Teachers are also receiving more professional development. Under new leadership, the school now has administrators that teach demonstration lessons, a real game-changer for teachers at the school. Each of these efforts is making a difference, and helping to strengthen the school and the community.

Another example is the Fannie Lou Hamer Middle School (PS 286) in the Bronx, which is engaging both students and their families in ways that will make a difference in academic achievement at the school. After this District 12 middle school tied incentives to attendance, the needle began moving in a positive direction. As families became involved in the school (for example, taking English classes), attendance improved. Attendance gained two percentage points, moving from 90 percent in 2014 to 92 percent in 2015.

PS 286’s extended learning time provides additional instruction and remediation opportunities for all students. But it also includes peer counseling and art instruction. John Hopkins University and the Children’s Aid Society, the CBO partners at the school, provide support for better attendance, extended learning classes and social work services.

Other examples of progress:

  • Brooklyn Generation (K566) has social workers meeting weekly with teacher teams for “kid talks” to review student problems. These measures have resulted in an attendance increase from 84 percent in September 2014 to 92 percent last May.
  • Richard R. Green Campus (X370 Diplomacy, X323 Globe, and X289 Young Scholars) in the Bronx has an after-school program that includes academic help, sports, adult learning workshops, and training for teachers that focuses on student behavior.
  • Renaissance School of the Arts (M.S. 377) in East Harlem hired two new social workers who worked with the staff to engage the entire community. They turned the school into a one-stop shop for services. The attendance rate has increased from 88.7 percent in 2014 to 90 percent in 2015, and the percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards in math is up 50 percent. In English classes, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards has doubled.

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As we move forward, we want to see renewal schools receive additional custom-tailored supports, which will help them tackle the challenges facing our English Language Learners (ELLs) and special education students.

Currently, there are 47,032 students in all renewal schools. Nearly 20 percent are classified as English Language Learners, and nearly a quarter as special education. We’re going to have to find the money to hire additional ELL-certified teachers, as well as guidance counselors, paraprofessionals and other specialized professionals.

We also strongly support increased funding for mental and physical health services for students, as well as literacy and job training programs for parents with an eye on strengthening families. Most parents want what’s best for their children, and we want the Renewal program to help them become the best parents they can be.

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Turning around a struggling school is hard work, and we are as invested in it as is Mayor de Blasio. We are just beginning to reverse the years of cutbacks and systemic indifference, which decimated these schools. We have a real opportunity to repair that damage, and with the proper resources and funding, we can achieve genuine change. We know these schools require a proactive and strategic intervention built on sound education practice.  We believe the School Renewal Program can provide that grounding. We know the results will take time, but we are heartily encouraged with the results so far.

Thank you again for your support of our schools and our members. We look forward to working with you in the months ahead.

Related Topics: Struggling Schools