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NYC teachers say Mayor Adams' literacy overhaul requires more training, resources
By
Jessica Gould
Published Dec 16, 2024
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Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
By
Jessica Gould
Published Dec 16, 2024
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New York City teachers want more training and other resources to fulfill Mayor Eric Adams’ goal of improving low literacy rates in public schools, according to a new survey.
The survey from Educators for Excellence comes 18 months into Adams’ literacy overhaul called “NYC Reads.”
Fewer than 50% of New York City elementary and middle schoolers scored proficient in reading on the most recent state tests.
While most educators are supportive of Adams’ goal of aligning reading instruction with the latest science, many say students still need more help, especially students with disabilities and English language learners.
More than 60% of the 200 teachers surveyed by the advocacy group said the shift to a new curriculum is having a “positive” or “somewhat positive” effect on instruction. But almost half said they need more support.
“Educators would benefit from more time to learn and grow with the curriculum,” Kate Gutwillig, a New York City elementary school teacher, said in a press release on the survey. “We must also adjust professional learning to meet the needs of the teachers in their classrooms if we seek to better support diverse learners.”
About 16% of teachers in the survey said their students' reactions to the new materials seemed to be “very positive,” 35% said their students' responses were “somewhat positive” and 33% said their students seemed “neutral.”
Last month, Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and the heads of the teachers’ and principals’ unions announced some tweaks to the new literacy curricula that would allow teachers more flexibility in how long they have to complete units as well as reduce assessments and data collection.
The Educators For Excellence survey found similar concerns among teachers about pacing, as well as a strong desire for more one-on-one and small group intervention for students. Some teachers also called for the inclusion of more whole books instead of excerpts. They also wanted course materials that better reflect the diversity of the student population.
" What we’re hearing from this report is that teachers are looking for more support in serving students with disabilities and English learners, areas which are a major focus for us this year," education department spokesperson Nicole Brownstein said in a statement, emphasizing that the survey found "broad support" for the new curricula.
Some parents have criticized the new coursework as rigid and boring.
The survey comes at a pivotal moment following the departure of former Schools Chancellor David Banks, who championed the shift. Aviles-Ramos has promised to continue the initiative.
According to recent data, students are still struggling to read proficiently. On state tests, scores on English Language Arts in grades 3-8 dipped a bit last year, although the students just learning to read – and who will be most affected by the change – haven’t taken the exams yet.
Preliminary internal data obtained by Gothamist also showed that during the first few months of the overhaul, proficiency rates dipped slightly more at schools using the new materials than those that hadn’t made the switch yet.
Experts said the data is premature and called for patience.
“It’s hard to hear sometimes but very true, and that is that change of this magnitude takes time and we've got to sustain the work to give it a chance to take hold,” said Kim Sweet, executive director of Advocates for Children of New York. Her group is calling for more interventions for struggling students.
The Educators For Excellence survey found that teachers' confidence in the new material increases the more time they spend training with it.
“The report shows why we need city leaders to give NYC Reads time, and give educators the opportunity and grace for continuous learning,” elementary school teacher April Rose said.
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new york city
education
Jessica Gould
Jessica is the education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica reported on the shutdown and reopening of the nation’s largest school system, highlighting the unprecedented impacts on learning, health and mental health for students, staff and families. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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