Education

Committee Chair: Niki Cubides

Public education in New York City has seen rapid, potentially transformational change in the 21st Century. Breaking a long-term precedent, New York State agreed to mayoral control of City schools early in the administration of Michael Bloomberg. Since then, many new and smaller schools have been created, and the City has claimed progress in raising student attendance and achievement from alarmingly low levels.

The Women’s City Club has long been committed to improving public education in New York City. Our priorities have included smaller class sizes and fair funding of public schools, opposition to tax-payer vouchers in non-public schools and monitoring the effects of the federal No Child Left Behind law. Our education programs examine the changing public school landscape; recently we’ve focused on charter schools and the small schools initiative. Currently we’re working to reinstitute physical education in every public school as a powerful deterrent to childhood obesity.

Recent Education News:

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  • May 28 – Education Meeting featuring guest speaker Joseph Peri May 13, 2013
    The Education Committee has invited Joseph Peri, President of Junior Achievement of New York (JANY), to speak about financial literacy. JANY provides in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12 in the areas of Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, and Work Readiness. Mr. Peri also serves on the Board of Directors of the Jump$tart Coalitio […]
  • December 12 – Education Committee Guest Speaker November 30, 2012
    In 2013, the Education Committee will focus on several priorities, including education reform.  To kick start the subject, our next meeting will feature a special presentation on NYC charter schools by David Golovner, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy of NYC Charter School Center.  Please join the Committee to learn more about the Charter Center […]
  • WCC Presses Governor to Support Access to Education Programs June 12, 2012
    Last week, the Women’s City Club of New York called on Governor Cuomo to pass Senate Bill S2323, which would provide access to education programs for recipients of public assistance. In this economic climate, more women and men are living in poverty and need the skills and education to secure meaningful employment.  Research has shown […]
  • New York Times Publishes WCC Letter on Physical Education November 2, 2011
    In response to a recent New York Times article on physical education, the WCC submitted the following letter, published in the October 28, 2011 edition.  The WCC’s Task Force on Physical Fitness advocates for the inclusion of comprehensive physical education in New York’s schools due to the myriad benefits it provides to students. Exercise in […]
  • WCC Applauds Comptroller’s Audit of Physical Education in Schools October 4, 2011
    Today, City Comptroller John C. Liu announced that an audit of the Department of Education (DOE) found that many elementary schools do not meet state guidelines for physical education (PE) and, that despite documenting high rates of obese and overweight students, the DOE has not filed a PE plan with the state since 1982. According […]