As the race for mayor of New York City heats up, a recent report from the Manhattan Institute delivers a stark critique of the Democratic candidates’ approach to education, suggesting that they deserve a failing grade. This analysis, titled “Education Agenda for New York City’s Mayor,” calls for a return to policies that characterized the Bloomberg administration—policies that many argue successfully improved educational outcomes, particularly for marginalized communities.
The report highlights key recommendations that include expanding charter schools, increasing the number of merit-based admissions schools, and implementing strict accountability measures such as A to F report cards for school performance. Notably, it advocates for a reevaluation of the costly class size reduction law, which currently burdens the New York City Department of Education’s budget of over $40 billion, a figure already averaging $33,000 per student. Given that student enrollment has dropped by 12% since before the pandemic, the need for fiscal prudence in education is more urgent than ever.
Co-author Ray Domanico, a veteran in education research, expressed his disappointment with the current candidates, stating, “I give the mayoral candidates a D or an F grade across the board.” He noted that while Whitney Tilson, a hedge fund executive and Democratic candidate, has embraced many of the proposed reforms—including advocating for school choice and accountability—his polling numbers remain dismally low. The irony is palpable: despite a history of educational improvement during Bloomberg’s tenure, where real gains were made for low-income students and students of color, these successes appear to have been largely forgotten or ignored by today’s candidates.
Charter schools, which serve approximately 150,000 students—about 15% of the NYC public school population—are cited as a significant factor in these educational advancements. These publicly funded, mostly non-union institutions have consistently outperformed traditional public schools, yet the leading candidates have notably refrained from advocating for the removal of the state-imposed cap on the number of charter schools that can operate in the city. This is particularly surprising coming from former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who previously championed charter schools during his time in office.
Instead, Cuomo seems to be pivoting towards “community schools,” a strategy heavily favored by teachers’ unions. Critics, however, regard this approach as a misstep, reflecting a broader trend during the de Blasio administration which saw a retreat from accountability measures and a failure to support charter school expansion. Under de Blasio, A-to-F report cards were eliminated, leading to a lack of transparency and accountability in school performance that many argue has contributed to declining educational standards.
The report also points to a troubling trend: the existence of numerous under-enrolled schools. With 22 schools having fewer than 150 students and 43 with 151 to 200, the authors argue that the system is not only inefficient but also unsustainable. As policy fellow Danyela Egorov notes, “It’s unusual to have a school system that loses students, can’t teach our kids, and keeps getting more money.” This sentiment is echoed in recent National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, which reveal that only 33% of fourth graders are proficient in math and 28% in reading—both figures below the national average.
The authors advocate for a multifaceted approach to reinvigorating NYC’s educational landscape. They suggest increasing seats in merit-based middle and high schools, akin to prestigious institutions like Stuyvesant, to foster competition and retain students. Furthermore, they propose enhancing career-based educational programs that would directly connect students to job opportunities upon graduation, thereby bridging the gap between education and employment.
In summary, the Manhattan Institute’s report serves as a clarion call for the next mayor to embrace a bold educational agenda that prioritizes accountability, expansion of school choice, and strategic financial reforms. As the election approaches, the question remains: will the candidates rise to the occasion and champion the proven strategies that can truly transform the educational landscape for New York City’s children?
