EQUITABLE
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW ROCHELLE
OBJECTIVES
We serve to bring awareness to the public of New Rochelle, New York the racial disparities and opportunity gaps in our school district. This all has solidified a foundation for an elitist and discriminatory attitude city, as you can find in the anecdotal evidence section.
The way the Board of Education defines our zoning and district lines is a method that works in other cities, but cannot be the way we continue to structure our education in New Rochelle. Our neighborhoods and communities are inherently divided up racially/ethnically due to decades of de facto segregation.
We demand educational opportunities to be equally available to all students of the New Rochelle School District and that begins in our elementary schools.
We insist that our leaders begin adequately addressing those needs in this year’s budget.
This is how we have addressed the problem of intolerance and educational oppression in our community.
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATIONS
See the unequal racial and ethnic representation in New Rochelle High School's Advanced Placement Courses and the differing education success rates amongst our demographics.
Should our schools suspend suspension? How do we address significantly higher rates of suspension in one of our middle schools? The answer may lie in increased mental health resources.
The Board of Education tries to compensate each year for over and underspending in schools' departments but do so by setting a budget. What happens when this budget is not used to the fullest extent and rather is underutilized in places that demonstrate need?
While an effective method for other school districts, the racial makeup of the zones in New Rochelle do not allow for this to work for everyone equally.
Intended to be an enrichment program geared towards the advancement of English Reading & Comprehension and Math, this "talented youth program" reflects and encourages an opportunity gap.
Classism and elitism, two major societal problems prominent in nearly the entire word, is evident in our public schools. Starting from kindergarten, the socioeconomic backgrounds of students starts to create a divide. The path to analyzing one's own mindset is a challenge, but we must do so in order to create a better future.
POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS
Hover over the images to be directed to its main source. Review arguments and resources encouraging an end to de facto segregation in schools from the 1960s. Many of its reflections can be seen in modern-day New Rochelle.
Compare the sources to the district lines and ask yourself: "How can we be better?"
Implementing reform inspired by the Princeton Plan which entails dividing the schools by grade, rather than location.
This has proven to be an effective method in other districts, however it is the most complex in terms of transportation and has been stricken down by the B.O.E. because of this excuse.
Yet, this is the best answer.
CONTACT
Inquiries
For any inquiries, questions or commendations, please contact Samira Rahman-Gutierrez or fill out the following form.
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