New York City's public schools are in deep trouble. The city spends a staggering 41 billion dollars on education each year. This is the biggest chunk of the city's 115 billion dollar budget. Yet, the results are far from impressive. Nearly half of the fourth-graders in the city struggle with basic reading skills. This is a huge problem. It's even more alarming when compared to other states. Mississippi, one of the poorest states in the nation, spends much less per student. But its fourth-graders are reading at a higher level than those in New York City.

The issue is even more stark for black and Latino students. In 2024, a significant number of these students lacked basic reading skills. This is a critical time in a child's education. By fourth grade, students should be moving from learning to read to reading to learn. Those who struggle at this stage often fall further behind. This can lead to a life of poverty and hardship.

The city's Department of Education has been deceiving parents. They claim that students are doing fine and pass them along year after year. This is not acceptable. The next mayor needs to address this issue head-on. They must end this practice of "social promotion" after third grade. If a child hasn't learned to read by then, the system needs to keep trying.

So, what works? High standards, a rigorous curriculum, and accountability are key. Schools and educators need to be held responsible for their students' performance. Parents should have more freedom to choose the best schools for their children. Former Mayor Mike Bloomberg implemented some of these changes. The results were positive. The portion of fourth-graders lacking basic reading skills decreased significantly during his tenure.

The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) has been a major obstacle to real reform. They prioritize their own interests over those of the students. The next mayor must be willing to stand up to this powerful union. They should expand charter schools, which are rigorously evaluated and held accountable. All public schools should be subject to the same standards. Teachers should be paid based on their performance, not just their years of service or certifications.

The next mayor must be bold and unapologetic in their pursuit of educational reform. They should not be afraid to challenge the status quo and fight for what's best for the students. It's not too late for other candidates to join in this fight. The future of New York City's children depends on it.

New York City's Education Crisis: Time for Real Change

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