NEW YORK - After two months, the new Schools Chancellor David Banks has harshly criticised the Department of Education.
He presented a new way to end bureaucracy and provide students with a path to the middle classes.
CBS2's Marcia Kramer reported that the chancellor is looking to hire 1,000 school safety agents in order to combat a sharp increase in weapons brought into class.
Banks spoke to hundreds of school workers at DOE headquarters, to explain how he plans to end the notorious bureaucracy that has led to a shocking 65% of minority NYC DOE students not being able read and graduating.
Banks first had to deal with an unexpected snag: the teleprompter that was delivering his speech failed, forcing Banks to adlib his whole presentation.
David Banks, NYC Schools Chancellor, shares his vision of the Department of Education
Banks's problems are illustrated by the teleprompter case. A school system so broken that parents had to take their children out of public schools before the pandemic of 120,000, the incident was emblematic. He stated that they "decided with their feet to vote and to say, ‘We’re going to find alternative and other options for our children.’ This is a damning assessment of the work we've done.
Mayor Eric Adams also notified school employees that they should get involved in the program to re-invent the school system.
Adams stated, "If you are not part of the team and not committed to finally turning around the bureaucracy which has professionalized and professionalized failing children,"
The plan of the chancellor includes:
* Reducing the teaching of reading to a proven, phonics-based system that allows students to read by the third grade
* Screening methods that detect dyslexia early in life.
* Ensure that every student graduates with a diploma, and a path to a job.
Kramer was told by the chancellor that there has been a significant increase in weapons brought into schools. Kramer should be able to reduce the number of school safety agents.
Banks stated, "I would like to be closer to approximately a thousand more SSAs."
Gregory Floyd, head of the school safety association, stated that this would be a good start, as there is a shortage up to 2,000.
Floyd stated that Floyd would be adding school safety agents to help curb violence in schools.
Unneeded bureaucracy is also being targeted by the chancellor. Five executive superintendent posts were eliminated by the chancellor on Wednesday, saving millions. Next, the borough offices which employ thousands to thousands of people. He wants to understand why all these people are needed.
Banks stated that he would also like to create initiatives to support students and families who have been through two years of a traumatic epidemic.
David Banks, Schools Chancellor, delivered a scathing critique of the Department of Education Wednesday. He also promised to lift the nation's largest school systems out of a $38 million crisis.
Banks spoke at DOE headquarters in Manhattan. He acknowledged the dire realities facing the agency, including declining enrollment and dismal proficiency rates black and brown students and a "broken faith" with disillusioned parents.
Banks, who was forced to improvise his speech following a teleprompter error, stated that the DOE had delivered "completely dysfunctional results" despite the billions of dollars it receives every year.
The DOE's recent history was bluntly indicted by banks when they described shrinking school registrations as an "indictment".
He said, "You can wrap your head around that for a second." This happened before the pandemic, and it was accelerated during this pandemic. One hundred twenty-five thousand families voted with their feet to say "We are going to seek other options and other choices" for their children. This is a testimony to the hard work we have done.
New Yorker Banks, who is a product of the DOE's public schools, has repeatedly highlighted the gap between DOE's quality product and its spending.
David Banks.
David Banks, Schools Chancellor, stated that the DOE has produced "completely dysfunctional results" despite billions of dollars in funding.
Stefan Jeremiah
He said, "But think about that, $38 billion." I want you to remember that number. To get the results we got, we spent $38 billion each year. 65 percent of black children don't attain proficiency.
Banks repeated many of the themes he had introduced following his selection as school chief. He proposed policies that would reverse DOE decay, and restore parental belief.
He announced the removal of DOE executive directors, a bureaucratic layer that was introduced by Richard Carranza, former school chief.
Banks stated that "we have not gotten enough value to our schools" and that they had impeded work by the DOE's 32 district chiefs.
David Banks.
David Banks admitted dropping enrollment, low proficiency rates for black students and parents, and a "broken relationship" with his parents.
Stefan Jeremiah
Banks instead promised to "bolster” superintendents with additional funding, personnel, and resources.
Banks stated that he would eliminate red tape that can often hinder innovative city principals, and that the system should have effective programs.
Banks stated that strong DOE offerings are not available if they don't hear about them. Banks said that many of our parents and families have moved on because of this. We have damaged the trust of our families. We have to rebuild our trust."
Not surprisingly, banks ignored the taboos of the de Blasio administration and offered a positive view on charter schools.
Banks stated that "charter schools have done an incredible job telling their story." Banks stated, "That's why people are leaving traditional public schools to go to private schools or charter schools.
The chancellor stressed that learning should be more relevant for children by linking classwork with future job opportunities.
Kevin C. Downs
Banks stated that to get some of these kids back, it would take a complete overhaul of the DOE’s marketing efforts to promote its success programs.
Chief schools officer stressed that students must be able to relate their learning to future employment prospects.
Banks stressed the importance of "career paths" and said that children will understand what it means to be a part of the American workforce.
Banks stated that too many students "just go through the motions of school" instead of connecting their work with tangible future rewards.
The expansion of curricula will include the development of virtual learning options, which will provide specialized and accelerated learning for a larger number of city children.
The chancellor stated that updating the DOE's approach will require new training of city teachers.
He said, "Far too many teachers are smart, dedicated, and hardworking -- but haven't had the level of exposure to the real world of work."
The DOE will create a task force to ensure that every child is able to read by third grade, citing the critical role of literacy early in learning.
Eric Adams and David Banks
After a press conference, Eric Adams, New York City Mayor, and David Banks Schools Chancellor.
Stefan Jeremiah
Banks stated that he hopes to increase the number of security officers in city buildings and schools in the future, citing ongoing concerns about safety.
Banks concluded his remarks by promising to restructure the DOE's mission, and inject new life into the agency.
He stated that he was encouraged by the marked increase in attendance at city schools since he took office amid the omicron surge and that he expects these positive trends to continue.
He said, "People feel a new spirit." This spirit is real. This system will be transformed. I came here not to be chancellor. "I came here to make real differences."
