City Schools Chancellor Seeks to Keep Job Amid Mamdani's Education Vision
As Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani prepares to take the helm of New York City's largest school district, Education Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos is laying out her vision for reform. Despite criticism from some quarters, Aviles-Ramos asserts that she remains committed to boosting parents' and educators' voices within the existing bureaucracy.
Aviles-Ramos emphasizes the need for increased community engagement in education policy, citing the importance of involving students, teachers, and parents in decision-making processes. She highlights her administration's efforts to expand parental involvement through the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) and district-based parent advisory councils. While acknowledging the system's limitations, she argues that strengthening these structures is a more effective approach than abolishing mayoral control.
The incoming mayor has expressed his opposition to mayoral control of schools, stating that he believes one person should not have absolute authority over education without input from the community. Aviles-Ramos agrees, but questions whether new infrastructure is necessary. Instead, she suggests focusing on empowering existing structures and promoting authentic community engagement.
Aviles-Ramos' remarks come as a counterpoint to Mamdani's criticism of the current system. She notes that her administration has implemented various initiatives, such as overhauling literacy instruction and math programs, which have led to improved test scores. The chancellor also highlights her commitment to supporting homeless students, an initiative that Mamdani has praised.
As the education landscape continues to evolve, Aviles-Ramos' leadership and vision will be closely watched by stakeholders. While there are concerns about her ability to stay in office despite criticism from some quarters, many influential education leaders have expressed support for her continued role as chancellor. Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, has publicly encouraged Mamdani to consider keeping Aviles-Ramos on board.
Ultimately, the fate of Aviles-Ramos' tenure hangs in the balance as she seeks to implement Mamdani's vision for education reform. One thing is certain: the future of New York City's schools will be shaped by a complex interplay of competing interests and priorities – and Aviles-Ramos' efforts will play a crucial role in determining the course of that journey.
As Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani prepares to take the helm of New York City's largest school district, Education Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos is laying out her vision for reform. Despite criticism from some quarters, Aviles-Ramos asserts that she remains committed to boosting parents' and educators' voices within the existing bureaucracy.
Aviles-Ramos emphasizes the need for increased community engagement in education policy, citing the importance of involving students, teachers, and parents in decision-making processes. She highlights her administration's efforts to expand parental involvement through the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) and district-based parent advisory councils. While acknowledging the system's limitations, she argues that strengthening these structures is a more effective approach than abolishing mayoral control.
The incoming mayor has expressed his opposition to mayoral control of schools, stating that he believes one person should not have absolute authority over education without input from the community. Aviles-Ramos agrees, but questions whether new infrastructure is necessary. Instead, she suggests focusing on empowering existing structures and promoting authentic community engagement.
Aviles-Ramos' remarks come as a counterpoint to Mamdani's criticism of the current system. She notes that her administration has implemented various initiatives, such as overhauling literacy instruction and math programs, which have led to improved test scores. The chancellor also highlights her commitment to supporting homeless students, an initiative that Mamdani has praised.
As the education landscape continues to evolve, Aviles-Ramos' leadership and vision will be closely watched by stakeholders. While there are concerns about her ability to stay in office despite criticism from some quarters, many influential education leaders have expressed support for her continued role as chancellor. Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, has publicly encouraged Mamdani to consider keeping Aviles-Ramos on board.
Ultimately, the fate of Aviles-Ramos' tenure hangs in the balance as she seeks to implement Mamdani's vision for education reform. One thing is certain: the future of New York City's schools will be shaped by a complex interplay of competing interests and priorities – and Aviles-Ramos' efforts will play a crucial role in determining the course of that journey.
meanwhile, poverty rates among NYC kids have increased by 13% since 2019 
and 1 in 5 students struggle with food insecurity 
its like, how can we expect them to learn w/ empty stomachs?! 
btw, here's a chart on NYC school enrollment numbers from 2010-22: 
. What I'm trying to say is, we gotta understand that just because someone's idea might not be perfect at first, it doesn't mean they're not on the right track 
. Aviles-Ramos' way of involving communities in education policy, it sounds like a step in the right direction, even if it's not exactly what Mamdani had in mind 
. I mean, Aviles-Ramos is trying to keep her job despite criticism from some quarters, but at the same time, she's still pushing for reform, which shows she's committed to doing what's best for the city's schools 
.
I mean I get it, community engagement is important and all but can't she just take some more risks for once? 
and I'm here for it. We need someone who's gonna shake things up and bring in fresh ideas. Aviles-Ramos' approach seems kinda... basic 
don't get me wrong, she's trying to build bridges and all that but sometimes you gotta take a stand and make some noise.
Michael Mulgrew seems like a solid ally. Fingers crossed she doesn't throw us all under the bus 
. I've seen how the panel for educational policy and parent advisory councils have worked in the past, they can be really effective in bringing everyone together to make decisions that benefit students. My niece is in one of those parent councils and she says it's amazing to see so many different perspectives coming together to create positive change. The problem is often the lack of funding and resources 
, which can limit what you can actually do. I just hope Aviles-Ramos gets the support she needs from the new mayor-elect to make a real difference in our city schools 
.
she's trying to smooth out the transitions and keep things from getting too chaotic, but at the same time, you can't deny that mamdani's vision for education reform is gaining traction 
. either way, i'm curious to see how it all shakes down...