Bill A.10499/S.9459 updates the composition and requirements of the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP), codifies District 75, increases input by the Community Education Council (CEC) and the Citywide Councils, creates a parent coordinator position in every school, and extends mayoral control and accountability for two years.

In response, UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued the following statement: 

The legislation introduced by NYC Education Chair State Senator John Liu and Assembly Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto will increase parental involvement in the governance of our public schools, and will guarantee more independence for the members of the Panel for Educational Policy — both important priorities for the city’s teachers.

Bill A.10498/S.9460 would lower average class sizes.

In response, UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued the following statement: 

New York City’s public school community can thank the leadership of the New York State Legislature, as well as NYC Education Chair State Senator John Liu and Assembly Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto, and Member of the Assembly Education Committee Manny De Los Santos, lead champions of this legislation, who have heard the call of parents who have been demanding reasonable class sizes for our city’s children.

According to the most recent data from New York State, out of 675 school districts, 663 have smaller class sizes than New York City.

This bill would lower city class sizes to 20 in the early grades and to 25 for most high school subjects, dramatically lower than the current contractual class size limits.

The passage and enactment of this legislation — which prioritizes the city’s poorest schools, phases in over five years, and provides exemptions when necessary for overcrowded buildings — would be a landmark achievement for this city’s children by the political leadership of our city and state.