Why New York's neediest families aren't using free pre-K and 3K
The program, started by former Mayor Bill de Blasio, was once a national model.
Stay updated with breaking news from Suzan Sumer. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
The program, started by former Mayor Bill de Blasio, was once a national model.
The data, compiled by Advocates for Children of New York, shows that about 104,000 students across the city’s public school system suffered from homelessness in the last school year, which stretched from September 2021 through June 2022. That’s a 3.3% uptick as compared to the 2020-2021 school year, when 101,000 students were identified as homeless by the advocacy group.
Simone Hawkins’ exit comes at a financial crisis point for many preschool operators, who say they’ve been waiting months for payments and are on the brink of insolvency.
As Mayor Eric Adams stares down a massive budget shortfall, New York City has no clear plans to sustain its growing 3-K program.
Thirty-eight of the council’s 51 members penned a letter expressing concern about reports that the DOE is weighing a multi-million dollar cut to “restorative justice,” an approach that encourages misbehaving students to repair the harm they caused rather than issuing suspensions and expulsions.