2017 Diversity Report - Diversity Efforts

High School

Equity & Excellence - AP for All

AP for All is adding Advanced Placement courses so that by fall 2021, students at all high schools will have access to at least five AP classes. In 2016-17, 120 AP courses were added across 63 schools, 31 of which did not previously offer any AP courses. As of fall 2017, 152 high schools are offering new AP courses, including 60 that offered no AP courses before the initiative. As part of the AP for All initiative, the DOE has partnered with Equal Opportunity Schools as part of the national Lead Higher Initiative to specifically increase AP participation and success at 24 high schools among students of color and low income students who are not currently enrolled in AP courses.

Families and communities

Equity & Excellence for All

Middle School

Equity & Excellence - College Access for All Middle School

By the 2018-19 school year, every middle school student will have the opportunity to visit a college campus. In 2016-17, 171 schools across 11 districts implemented the program. In 2017-18, 355 middle schools across 22 districts will bring approximately 43,000 7th-graders to college campuses, and engage students and families in a schoolwide college and career culture.

Families and communities

Equity & Excellence for All

Middle School, High School

Equity & Excellence - College Access for All High School

By the 2018-19 school year, every student will have the resources and supports at their high school to graduate with an individual college and career plan. In 2016-17, 101 schools received training and funding to build a schoolwide college and career culture; additionally, the City eliminated the CUNY college application fee for low-income students and made the SAT exam available free of charge during the school day for all high school juniors. Currently, 269 high schools are receiving training and funding to build a schoolwide college and career culture.

Families and communities

Equity & Excellence for All

Middle School, High School

Equity & Excellence - Single Shepherd

Single Shepherd is pairing every student in grades 6-12 in District 7 in the South Bronx and District 23 in Brownsville with a dedicated school counselor or social worker who will support them in their school on the path to graduation and college enrollment. Approximately 140 Single Shepherds are serving approximately 15,000 grade 6-12 students at all 49 middle and high schools in Districts 7 and 23.

Families and communities

Equity & Excellence for All

Elementary School - High School

Allowed school schedule flexibility and encouraged sharing of best practices to support diverse school communities

As part of Progressive Redesign Opportunity Schools for Excellence (PROSE), schools are allowed flexibility in how their school day is organized and encouraged to implement models of teacher inter-visitation, with many schools centering this work on the goal of meeting the needs of a diverse student body. In 2016-17, 79 schools participated in schedule flexibility, allowing leaders to tailor school structure to meet specific needs of school communities. Many schools have implemented teacher inter-visitations, encouraging the sharing of best practices in how to most effectively serve a diverse school community. Last year’s survey results show that of the schools surveyed, 76% feel that the scheduling flexibility created more opportunities for teachers to collaborate. Other benefits include: increased instructional time for students, additional time for parent engagement, and more opportunities for student advisory support.

Schools and school communities

Targeting Funding to Foster Diversity

Elementary School - High School

Application and Test Registrations (RFT) available in 10 languages

Applications for all elementary admissions processes were available on paper and online in 10 languages. Applications and request for testing for middle school and high school admissions processes were available on paper in 10 languages.

English Language Learners and families with non-English home language

Streamlining and increasing access for families to learn about school options and apply

Elementary School - High School

Brought together schools working on diversity initiatives to share ideas

During three professional development sessions, Progressive Redesign Opportunity Schools for Excellence (PROSE) brought principals and teachers within 32 schools together to discuss the implementation practices/challenges of their diversity plans. Topics discussed included recruitment strategies, tracking student data, professional development, and parent outreach. Ten schools were awarded $5,000 mini-grants in support of their diversity implementation efforts. 

Schools and school communities

Targeting Funding to Foster Diversity

High School

Built a new easy-to-use online tool that lets users search New York City’s hundreds of high school choices by school name, keyword, location, size, and more 

NYC School Finder, developed by the DOE’s Office of Student Enrollment and Division of Instructional and Information Technology in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Technology & Innovation and Pivotal Labs, was first released in September 2016. School Finder was built to help families address the challenges of the City’s high school admissions process and identify 12 choices for their high school application, and is currently available in Spanish and English. In addition to English and Spanish, School Finder will be available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, and Urdu in fall 2017.

Families and communities

Streamlining and increasing access for families to learn about school options and apply

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten

Community School District 1 SIPP Grant and Diversity in Admissions Plan established

In collaboration with the District 1 Community Education Council and the District 1 Community School Superintendent's Office, the DOE is piloting a district-wide diversity in admission plan for the 2017-18 pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten admissions cycle (for the entering class of fall 2018). In addition, a Family Resource Center was established in fall 2017 and serves as a one-stop shop for families to learn about and enroll in District 1 schools.

District 1 families and communities

Expanding Diversity in Admissions Pilots

Gifted & Talented

Conducted additional outreach to populations that have participated in Gifted & Talented at lower rates than students citywide

In addition to standard modes of outreach, OSE sent a postcard highlighting the opportunity to test for Gifted & Talented to all students citywide entering kindergarten who were eligible to take the test . The Committees on Preschool Special Education (CPSEs) also conducted additional outreach to students participating in the Turning 5 process.

Families and communities

Increasing Access to Screened Schools

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Gifted & Talented

Conducted additional outreach to students and families through 4410s, CPSEs, and the Turning 5 process for all elementary admissions processes

The Committees on Special Education (CSEs) and Committees on Pre School Special Education (CPSEs) work with families of students with disabilities, while 4410 programs are the primary providers of pre-Kindergarten special education programs and services. The DOE distributed directories to these sites and conducted outreach to encourage their participation in elementary admissions processes. Additionally, outreach was conducted to families participating in the Turning 5 process to encourage families to apply to kindergarten and submit a Gifted & Talented test registration.

Students with Disabilities

Streamlining and increasing access for families to learn about school options and apply

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten

Conducted robocalls to families in both English and Spanish to remind them to apply

The DOE targets families who did not apply through admissions using both English and Spanish.

English Language Learners

Streamlining and increasing access for families to learn about school options and apply

Pre-Kindergarten - High School

Convened stakeholders to discuss ways to support LGBTQ youth of color

In November 2016, the NYC Men Teach program, the Expanded Success Initiative, and the City University of New York, in partnership with the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans and the Hetrick-Martin Institute, convened students, teacher-leaders, administrators, and community leaders to participate in a community forum on supporting LGBTQ youth of color in our school communities.

LGBTQ Students of Color, Schools

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

High School

Created first alumni mentoring programs

As its first efforts to connect former and current NYC public school students, the DOE created two alumni mentoring programs to provide one-on-one mentoring for high-needs high school students from lower-income backgrounds and lower-performing schools, and students of color. The programs emphasize college and career readiness and include alumni-led college tours and college application workshops.

Students from underrepresented backgrounds

Equity & Excellence for All

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten

Dual language programs available on Kindergarten & pre-Kindergarten applications

As part of the central pre-K and Kindergarten applications, families are allowed to apply directly to Dual Language program offerings rather than just the school itself. This allows families to express a preference for this type of pedagogy, as well as enable the DOE to better anticipate incoming populations of English Language Learners. On this application families were asked three short questions to identify potential ELLs.

English Language Learners

Streamlining and increasing access for families to learn about school options and apply

Pre-Kindergarten

Enabled pre-K providers to operate blended EarlyLearn and DOE funded classes

Blended classrooms are an opportunity for pre-K programs that operate with an ACS EarlyLearn contract and a DOE pre-K contract to serve these students in one classroom. This policy allows students who meet eligibility requirements based on income (EarlyLearn) and students who may not (DOE) to learn together. Three programs participated in 2016-17.

Families and communities

Planning for Diversity When Opening New Schools and Programs

Pre-Kindergarten - High School

Encourage the recruitment and retention of men of color to teach in New York City schools

In partnership with the Mayor's Young Men's Initiative, the City University of New York, and Teach for America, the DOE engaged in initiatives and programs aiming to put an additional 1,000 men of color on course to become NYC public school teachers by 2018. These initiatives include: building out principal and mentor networks, developing partnerships with universities, charter schools, CBOs (such as ExpandED and EdRising), engaging potential candidates earlier including current high school students, improving the onboarding process by providing convenient training and certification support, improving the hiring process through partial certification exam reimbursement, school tours, virtual interviews, improving professional development opportunities, and utilizing culturally relevant professional and leadership workshops.

Schools and school communities

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

Middle School

Encouraged schools with school-based admissions to set targets for admitting students with disabilities

The DOE continued to support middle schools in recruiting and supporting students with disabilities, including middle schools that currently serve lower numbers of students with disabilities.

Students with Disabilities

Increasing Access to Screened Schools

Elementary School, Middle School

Expanded Dual Language programs

The DOE continued to support schools in expanding and opening new Dual Language programs. For the 2016-17 school year, the DOE offered 469 bilingual programs across the city, including 182 Dual Language programs. During the 2017-18 school year, the DOE plans to open 72 new bilingual programs, 38 of which are Dual Language programs. Overall in the 2017-18 school year, the DOE will offer approximately 500 bilingual programs across the city, including approximately 200 Dual Language programs.

English Language Learners

Planning for Diversity When Opening New Schools and Programs

High School

Expanded work-based learning opportunities for underrepresented students

In 2016-17, the DOE was awarded funding from City Council's Young Women's Initiative to expand work-based learning opportunities. Using this funding, the DOE launched a Career Mentoring in Construction program and a Career Mentoring in Architecture and Engineering program. Both programs had retention rates of 99% and recruited and engaged underrepresented student populations in these Career and Technical Education clusters. For 2017-18, the DOE will expand the reach of these initiatives.

Underrepresented students interested in CTE

Increasing Participation of Underrepresented Students in STEM and Other Rigorous Courses

Elementary School - High School

Expansion of ASD Horizon program

ASD Horizon programs serve students on the autism spectrum whose academic abilities are approaching or are below grade level and who may benefit from instructional and interpersonal supports grounded in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. During 2016-17, 69 ASD Horizon programs served students citywide. In 2017-18, 11 new sections will be opened, resulting in a total of 80 ASD Horizon programs citywide.

Students with Disabilities

Planning for Diversity When Opening New Schools and Programs

Elementary School - High School

Expansion of ASD Nest program

ASD Nest programs serve students with autism whose academic abilities are on grade-level and whose primary need for support is in the areas of language and social skill development. During 2016-17, 265 ASD Nest programs served students citywide. In 2017-18, 18 new sections will be opened resulting in a total of 283 ASD Nest programs citywide.

Students with Disabilities

Planning for Diversity When Opening New Schools and Programs

Elementary School - High School

Expansion of Bilingual Special Education programs

Bilingual Special Education (BSE) programs serve students who need a special class or Integrated Co-Teaching classroom with instruction in English and another language. In 2016-17, 202 BSE programs served students citywide. During 2017-18, 28 new sections will be opened, resulting in a total of 230 BSE programs citywide.

English Language Learners with disabilities

Planning for Diversity When Opening New Schools and Programs

Pre-Kindergarten

Finalized plans to open pre-K Main Round later and for a longer period of time, as well as introduce late application

Given feedback from the DOE's partners on the students in temporary housing initiative that the application was opened too early and closed too quickly, the DOE finalized plans to open the pre-Kindergarten application later and for a longer period of time. Additionally, the DOE will implement a "Late Application", which will eliminate "dead time" in between Rounds 1 and 2 when interested families do not have an action step available to them.

Families and communities

Simplifying Admissions Methods and Processes

Elementary School - High School

Prioritized Renewal School students for summer STEM and additional enrichment programs

Students attending Renewal Schools in the 2016-17 school year were given priority enrollment in DOE Summer STEM programs for summer 2017. Renewal Schools also created additional summer enrichment programs for their students including a Summer Bridge program, SAT Prep, and CareerCLUE. Greater access to enrichment programs encouraged program diversity and combatted summer learning loss among students. Summer sites were added in Districts 9 and 27.

Students of Renewal Schools

Increasing Participation of Underrepresented Students in STEM and Other Rigorous Courses

Gifted & Talented

Provided accessibility information for testing sites.

In 2016-17, families continued to have the opportunity to select testing sites that met their accessibility needs.

Students with Disabilities

Increasing Access to Screened Schools

Pre-Kindergarten - High School

Foster equity-focused conversations and programs in school communities

Through the Expanded Success Initiative (ESI), the DOE facilitated monthly open forums with school leaders, students, and community members to unpack issues related to race, gender and class. It also hosted a peer-to-peer mentorship program, serving primarily young men of color, aimed at engaging students from underserved communities in a college and career readiness mindset. Additionally, in partnership with the Center for Strategic Solutions at NYU, ESI hosted a Critically Conscious Educators Rising (CCER) Series that convened a group of like-minded educators to focus on tying theory to practice in the pursuit of equity and racial justice in their classrooms, through their peers, and beyond. Through the ESI Leadership Institute, the DOE hosted a four-part collaborative series bringing together principals and assistant principals to explore systematic bias and racism in schools and what building leaders can do to disrupt it. Administrators and leaders from over 30 schools have come together to learn how to create a roadmap towards an equity-driven school community using data and guided by a root cause analysis process.

Schools and school communities

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

Elementary School - High School

Hosted conferences to support non-English speaking families

The DOE hosted seven native language conferences in 2016-17 in Spanish, Mandarin, Bengali and Arabic for parents and their children. The conferences were held entirely in the families' native language and gave parents tools and strategies for supporting their children in school and life, as well as information about DOE and city services. The conference also included a "Know Your Rights" panel discussion in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Non-English speaking families

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

Gifted & Talented

Implemented 3rd Grade G&T programs that utilized multiple measures of assessing giftedness

Five new 3rd grade Gifted & Talented programs were offered in Districts 3, 7, 12, 16 and 23 that utilized multiple measures of achievement to identify eligible students. These measures included student grades, state test scores, and teacher recommendations. All students residing in these districts were eligible for consideration. The students enrolled in these programs were largely more reflective of their district population, contributing to the diversity of G&T enrollment overall.

Students in Districts 3, 7, 12, 16, and 23

Increasing Access to Screened Schools

Elementary School - High School

Implemented diversity in admissions pilots across all grade levels, pre-Kindergarten through High School

As a result of the formal call for proposals, for the 2016-17 school year, 19 diversity in admissions pilots were implemented, including 12 elementary schools, 1 Gifted & Talented school, 4 middle schools, and 2 high schools. Applications continue to be submitted by schools on a rolling basis for consideration for the 2018-19 school year. In addition, New York City Early Education Centers (NYCEECs) have been engaged to submit proposals for the first time.

Students from underrepresented backgrounds

Expanding Diversity in Admissions Pilots

Elementary School

Implemented re-zoning with a focus on diversity

The DOE proposed and CEC 13 approved an elementary school re-zoning in Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO/Vinegar Hill, shifting the zone lines between P.S. 8 and P.S. 307 for implementation in the 2016-17 school year. One of the goals of the rezoning was to create a more diverse P.S. 307 zone to be more aligned with the neighborhood by equalizing the demographics of P.S. 307’s zone with P.S. 8’s zone. The re-zoning resulted in less socioeconomic and racial isolation in each school's zone.

Families and communities

Ensuring Diversity is a Factor in School Rezoning

Elementary School

Implemented re-zoning with a focus on diversity

The DOE worked with CEC 3 to develop a re-zoning impacting most of District 3 and one of the goals was to draw the zone lines in a way that equalized diversity across the zones. The rezoning was approved in 2016-17 for implementation in 2017-18. This re-zoning is generally projected to reduce socioeconomic and racial concentrations in certain schools' zones and distribute students more equitably across the district.

Families and communities

Ensuring Diversity is a Factor in School Rezoning

Middle School

Moved toward eliminating revealed middle school ranking

In 2016-17, all middle schools in District 15 implemented "blind ranking" for the middle school admissions process, which meant that middle schools would no longer be able to see where a student ranked them on their application. For the 2017-18 school year, districts 4, 5, 13 and 14 will also implement blind ranking. The remaining districts (1, 2, 3) will implement blind ranking for the 2018-19 school year. Blind ranking for all screened middle schools will create a more equitable process and help foster more diverse classes of qualified students by enabling families to apply to schools in their true preference order, as opposed to in a strategic manner. The DOE has been conducting trainings to support middle schools affected by this change and communicating this update to families.

Families and communities

Increasing Access to Screened Schools

Pre-Kindergarten

Opened Round 2 early

To give families the maximum amount of time in which to apply, the DOE opened the Round 2 application three weeks ahead of schedule and did not change the planned close date.

Families and communities

Streamlining and increasing access for families to learn about school options and apply

Elementary School - High School

Outreach and information sharing with students with accessibility needs

The DOE conducts outreach to families of pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students with accessibility needs to inform them of the two processes they can leverage to obtain an accessible site for their child. Additionally, the DOE developed a brochure for students with accessibility needs to support their navigation of the admissions processes.

Students with Disabilities

Streamlining and increasing access for families to learn about school options and apply

Elementary School

Piloted Family English Initiative

The DOE piloted the Family English Initiative in 6 schools to provide two-generation learning to students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade and their family members to learn English. Lessons were scaffolded around the best ways to support the learning of elementary students.

Spanish speaking and Chinese speaking families in Districts 7,8, and 25, and 31.

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

Elementary School - High School

Provided grant funding for schools to increase school diversity through recruitment & support of diverse learners

The Progressive Redesign Opportunity Schools for Excellence (PROSE) used funding from the National Education Association to provide $750 mini-grants and an opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 in mini-grant funding to 10 schools who sought to increase diversity in their school communities. Many of these schools utilized this funding to provide planning time for school staff working on diversity issues, as well as to do additional recruitment and outreach to underrepresented populations through school fairs and direct communication to families. Additionally, schools also utilized this funding to better equip their schools to support diverse learners. Examples of these activities included full-day professional development and guest speakers. Of the 155 schools in the program, 10 schools received grants of up to $5,000 for this effort.

Schools and school communities

Targeting Funding to Foster Diversity

Elementary School - High School

Provided simultaneous interpretation, translated materials, and other interpretation services at all Student Enrollment events

For all DOE admissions events where a formal presentation was given, simultaneous interpretation services were available, based on the language population of the district or borough. Additionally, all events received translated signage and materials, as well as the services of interpreters to work with families one-on-one.

English Language Learners and families with non-English home language

Streamlining and increasing access for families to learn about school options and apply

Middle School

Public engagement process to increase school diversity in Community School District 15

The DOE is partnering with WXY Studio, a public engagement firm, and Community School District 15 to implement a public engagement process to foster school diversity in Community School District 15.

Families and communities

Equity & Excellence for All

Elementary School - High School

School redesign and new school creation to respond to student and community needs

The DOE works with Superintendents to collaborate with each school community - staff, parents, students, and other community stakeholders- to respond to educational needs, particularly when schools are exhibiting declining academic performance. The range of redesign strategies include: Addition of new programs or services (School Redesign), New School development, School relocation (Resiting), Grade reconfiguration (Truncation / Expansion), Consolidation and Closure. The end result is a better option for students, one whose culture reflects a single cohesive community and a higher instructional quality which leads to student achievement. These strategies are constructed with potential impacts on school diversity in mind.

Families and communities

Planning for Diversity When Opening New Schools and Programs

Elementary School - High School

Streamlined transfer process to ensure English Language Learners gain access to programs that meet their needs

The DOE revised the English Language Learner transfer process by formalizing the request process in order to improve outcomes for families. This means schools must submit standard requests with evidence of the need for transfer, and ultimate parent authorization of the placement is required. The new process fosters greater transparency and engagement for families and schools and facilitates reporting to both NYSED and the Department of Justice.

English Language Learners

Simplifying Admissions Methods and Processes

Middle School, High School

Support transition of students returning from court-ordered settings

In order to fully support and promote the transition of students returning from court-ordered settings, the DOE and the New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) are renewing their partnership and improving communication and data-sharing. The DOE and OCFS have developed an inter-agency transition team to improve communication and provide a more proactive, seamless transition as students re-enter DOE schools.

Students returning from incarceration

Streamlining and increasing access for families to learn about school options and apply

Elementary School - High School

Translation of handbooks and directories in 10 languages

For PK-12 admissions processes, translated directories were distributed to schools, DOE offices, and community based organizations for each admissions process. Quantities of translations were customized using the available home language data by district or borough. All directories were also available online.

English Language Learners and families with non-English home language

Streamlining and increasing access for families to learn about school options and apply

Elementary School - High School

Translation of teacher and principal rating information materials in 9 DOE languages

Teacher and principal evaluation rating information sheets continue to be translated into the nine official DOE languages in order to reach parents and legal guardians of students in the DOE school system who are not native-English speakers. This allows non-native English speaking parents and legal guardians the same access to these material as their native English-speaking counterparts.

Families and communities

Streamlining and Increasing Access for families to learn about school options and apply

Kindergarten, Gifted & Talented

Utilized Pre-K for All providers in raising family awareness about the Kindergarten and Gifted & Talented application processes

With the large increase in students enrolled in full-day pre-Kindergarten, the DOE utilized communication with Pre-K for All providers to encourage participation in the Kindergarten and Gifted & Talented admissions processes. This communication included directory distribution, targeted emails about process events, and the sharing of site-level data on student participation.

Families and communities

Streamlining and increasing access for families to learn about school options and apply