Mamdani commits to supporting NYC’s most vulnerable students
Prioritizing Special Education and Supporting Vulnerable Students
Zohran Mamdani, a prominent figure in the political landscape, has emphasized the importance of improving special education as a central focus if he is elected. He highlighted that one of the most pressing challenges in the school system is the need to enhance support for students with disabilities. This sentiment was expressed in his campaign’s response to a questionnaire from Bisakimia, which addressed various aspects of the education system.
Mamdani pointed out that preschool children often face significant hurdles, with many not receiving the necessary services they are entitled to. He also noted that a considerable number of children with disabilities are enrolled in private schools at the city’s expense, which raises concerns about resource allocation and equity.
Additionally, Mamdani called for increased support for the city’s 154,000 homeless students. He referenced a program that pairs these students with adult mentors, aiming to provide them with stability and guidance during their educational journey.
Despite his focus on vulnerable populations, Mamdani has not provided a clear vision for overhauling the nation’s largest school system. However, his campaign’s responses suggest a potential agenda centered around the needs of some of the most disadvantaged children. These students often lag behind their peers in reading and math, experience higher rates of chronic absenteeism, and are less likely to graduate on time.
Lori Podvesker, director of disability and education policy at IncludeNYC, praised Mamdani for acknowledging the challenges faced by students with individualized education programs. She expressed hope that his responses would include more concrete steps to improve the special education system and make schools more inclusive for all students.
Addressing Special Education Shortages
To address the shortage of special education teachers, Mamdani pledged to recruit more educators in this critical area. He also committed to reducing the number of students with disabilities who receive private school tuition reimbursed by the city. According to data from the city’s Independent Budget Office, these payments were expected to reach approximately $1.3 billion last school year, a fourfold increase compared to a decade ago.
Previous administrations have voiced concerns about the rising costs but have yet to implement effective solutions. Podvesker suggested that further details on Mamdani’s strategies would be beneficial for understanding how he plans to tackle these issues.
In response to the questionnaire, Mamdani did not outline new strategies for improving the city’s lowest-performing schools. Instead, he expressed support for a network of over 400 community schools that offer wraparound services, including mental health clinics and additional learning opportunities. The city’s teachers union, which endorsed Mamdani, supports this approach, which has shown some promise.
Mamdani remains open to experimenting with expanding teacher training and other ideas that have proven effective. His campaign’s full responses are available for further review.
Assessing the School System
The strength of New York City’s public school system lies in its dedicated staff, including teachers, administrators, counselors, paraprofessionals, and custodial workers. One notable initiative is the “Every Child and Family is Known” pilot program in the Bronx, which supports students experiencing homelessness. This program pairs caring adults with students and families, resulting in reduced chronic absenteeism and improved well-being.
Mamdani emphasized the need to strengthen support for students with disabilities, noting that more than one-fifth of students have disabilities. In the 2021-2022 school year, 37% of preschoolers with disabilities went the entire year without receiving at least one required service. He aims to improve special education by increasing services for preschoolers, reducing Carter cases, recruiting more special education teachers, and enhancing language access for families.
While previous efforts to turn around low-performing schools have had mixed results, Mamdani supports the current network of community schools. These schools provide essential services such as medical care, mental health support, tutoring, and academic assistance. He also plans to review curricula based on the science of how children learn and invest in effective strategies, including teacher training.
Alex Zimmerman is a reporter for BisakimiaNew York, covering NYC public schools. Contact Alex at azimmerman@Bisakimia.org.
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