STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A working group tasked with gathering input and providing feedback to New York City to implement a new state class size law released its final report of recommendations on Monday.
The Class Size Working Group was first convened in April and was made up of a diverse cross-section of stakeholders — including two Staten Island residents. The group helped devise recommendations to help the city Department of Education (DOE) be in compliance with the law that Gov. Kathy Hochul signed last year to limit class sizes in New York City public schools. The law limits kindergarten through third-grade classes to 20 students, fourth- through eighth-grade classes to 23 students, and high school classes to 25 students.
The 55-page report focused on key aspects of implementing the new class size law, including enrollment planning, space and capital planning, special education, staff and hiring, instructional implications, and budgeting and financing. The DOE noted that this report does not contain official recommendations by the agency and is made up of suggestions developed by the working group for the city schools chancellor’s consideration.
The city will still make all final decisions when implementing measures to comply with the class size caps.
The report included 36 recommendations.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most debated recommendations made by the working group.
In consultation with school communities, adjust enrollment at overcrowded schools when there are underutilized schools nearby
Members recommended that enrollment be adjusted in overcrowded schools if there are nearby underutilized schools with the same grade configurations. Some ways to do this would be prioritizing zoned students for all seats in a program, which would result in seat reductions for non-zoned students. Many members of the group expressed concerns about the potential impacts on equity, diversity and vulnerable student groups, including those in specialized programs.
Relocate 3-K and Pre-K classes in overcrowded schools to nearby Community Based Organizations
The group noted that there were 30,000 empty pre-K and 3-K seats last year — mostly in DOE-run centers. The group argued this could free up space in district public schools, though some members and members of the public expressed concerns that this could inconvenience parents, especially those with older children in the public schools.
Make permanent an agreement in which teachers who hold or obtain a valid NYC teacher license and who hold NY State valid teacher certification in a shortage area (including Special Education, Bilingual Education, STEM and CTE), can have the probationary period reduced to one year
The working group stated that this recommendation is one of the most controversial proposals, with many concerns about the quality of teachers and the importance of an extended window to earn tenure. One member said reducing tenure to a year doesn’t give enough time to see if the teacher has the capacity to grow.
Mergers of existing co-located schools should be considered
The group said that the city should focus efforts on maximizing classroom space. The recommendation stated that, in existing co-located schools, there should be a regular review of space to ensure it makes sense under the new class size law.
It added that mergers of existing co-located schools should be considered, especially those with similar designs, programs and student population.
Only open new schools after a careful analysis
The report stated that building new schools should only be considered after careful analysis of available space to lower class size — unless there is an additional newly acquired or constructed building. Instead, if there is a perceived need or idea for a valuable new program or service, existing underutilized schools should be given the resources and support to provide these new programs or services, the recommendation stated.
MONTHS-LONG EFFORT
The city selected the working group members in April, including parents or guardians of DOE students, educators, advocates, researchers and other key stakeholders. The DOE considered individuals’ geographic representation, experience, school affiliation (including grade composition and size of the school), as well as organizational affiliation to ensure that a diversity of perspectives were represented within the working group.
The two Staten Island members include parents Lucia Curatolo-Boylan, a member of Staten Island’s Community Education Council 31, and Venus Sze-Tsang, a former CEC 31 member and Panel for Education Policy member. According to the report, Sze-Tsang is among several working group members who does not endorse the recommendations.
In response to the report, Schools Chancellor David C. Banks thanked those who participated in the group.
“The work to remain in compliance will take changes, tradeoffs and additional resources across NYC public schools, and I appreciate the Working Group’s time and effort,” said Banks. “We look forward to taking the time to review these recommendations and work to determine the best path forward for our system.”
The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) union supported the working group’s recommendations. Michael Mulgrew, UFT president, stated that the group came up with “reasonable, achievable recommendations for how New York City can implement the state law to reduce class sizes for all students.”
“It will not be easy, but Albany has provided $1.6 billion in new, recurring funding to help make it happen,” Mulgrew added. “The law also makes the DOE responsible for building more classroom seats in congested neighborhoods, so no child is pushed out of a chosen school. The Working Group takes on these complex realities and shows how we, as a city, can get it done.”
The DOE published its annual class size report last month — showing the city is in compliance for this school year with New York State’s new class size mandates. According to the report, as of Oct. 31, 40% of classes in New York City are at or below class size caps. Overall, 20% of classes are required to be at or below such caps for this school year.
Staten Island’s District 31 is one of three school districts that have the lowest percentage of classes at or below the class size caps.