We are thrilled to be launching the second year of SchoolBook, WNYC’s go-to website for news, data and conversation about the New York City public school system. In our first year, in partnership with The New York Times, we delved into topics such as the costs of paying for public schools and how best to evaluate teachers. We provoked vibrant conversations on topics like curriculum changes and the uneven application of the school ban on cell phones. And we updated our data to reflect the latest test scores and statistics.
As we begin a second year, WNYC is taking the editorial reins from the Times and planning to build upon our success with a particular focus on greater interactivity with our audience – you!
That means we need you to follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Propose ideas. Share tips. Submit essays and opinion pieces. Please email us at schoolbook@wnyc.org. And principals who missed our survey last year, it is not too late to contribute. You also can join your colleagues in the Principal’s Office.
Besides news and conversation, SchoolBook offers data related to every school in the city, presented in an accessible manner. You can dive into the statistics from the individual school pages. Also, make sure to check out the Search + Compare tool in the upper right. This helps you compare data for different schools side-by-side, based on geography or type of school or whatever is most important to you.
In addition to covering the regular flow of education news, WNYC will be paying close attention to the citywide implementation of special education reforms. You can check out some of our early coverage here. We also will explore some hot topics relating to charter schools, college readiness and vocational training. The Brian Lehrer Show and Radio Rookies – two of WNYC’s Peabody Award-winning programs – will be partnering even more closely with SchoolBook this year as well.
Few institutions touch so many lives, and so many parts of city life, as the schools. Education is sure to be a key issue in the upcoming race for mayor. After 10 years of reform, there are enough battle scars and lessons learned to debate for a long, long time. But this isn’t all about politics and policy. About 1.1 million children will be attending school this year. They bring their life experiences into the classroom and the professionals entrusted to teach them must be prepared to meet them where they are, and help them progress.
That is why we are making a concerted effort to hear from those on the front lines. Students, teachers, aides, guidance counselors and network leaders: What is working for you? What isn’t? What makes your school special or especially challenged? We want to hear from you.
It’s sure to be another jam-packed school year; SchoolBook will be there every step of the way. Join us.