Summary:
Some NYC public schools spend up to three times the citywide average per student, but their math and reading scores remain dismal.
MS 371 (SEED) spent $53,181 per student, with only 7% scoring proficient in math and 23% in reading.
MS 514 spent $63,007 per student with 59% of students having special education needs, nearly triple the citywide average, but only 13% met state standards in math and 21% in reading.
PS 25 received $45,420 per student, more than double the citywide average, but had limited data due to low enrollment.
Experts are urging a rethink of the city's education funding strategy, suggesting consolidation of schools with low enrollment to optimize resource allocation.
NYC Schools: Big Budgets, Poor Results? 🤔
New York City public schools are facing a tough question: Are we getting the most out of our education dollars? đź’° Some schools are spending three times the citywide average per student, yet their math and reading scores remain dismal.
The average per-pupil budget in NYC public schools is $21,112, but some schools spend upwards of $60,000+. This disparity raises eyebrows, especially when we see low proficiency rates in key subjects.
For example:
- MS 371, a Harlem school known as SEED, spent $53,181 per student, with only 7% scoring proficient in math and 23% in reading. 🤯 The school boasts a high teacher-to-student ratio, with 14 teachers for 95 students.
- MS 514, a West Harlem school, boasts an even larger budget of $63,007 per student, with 59% of students having special education needs, nearly triple the citywide average. Despite this, only 13% met state standards in math and 21% in reading.
- PS 25, the Eubie Blake School in Bedford-Stuyvesant, faced closure in 2018 due to low enrollment, but managed to stay open through advocacy. It now enjoys a hefty $45,420 per student, more than double the citywide average. Only three 5th graders took the state exams this year, so the results were withheld due to privacy concerns.
While the city vows to continue investing in education, experts are urging a rethink. The Citizens Budget Commission recommends against the “hold harmless” policy that guarantees funding for schools with declining enrollment, arguing that it creates inequity and doesn't necessarily translate to better academic outcomes.
David Bloomfield, an education professor, suggests combining schools with low enrollment to better manage resources. However, politically challenging moves like this are being avoided by the mayor.
The future of NYC education hinges on finding a way to effectively utilize these resources and ensure that all students are getting the support they need to succeed. đź“š
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