2017 - 2018 Diversity Report Diversity Efforts

3-K - High School

Released diversity plan to facilitate more diverse and inclusive schools and programs

In June 2017, the DOE released Equity and Excellence for All: Diversity in New York City Public Schools. The release of this diversity plan is the next step in the City’s ongoing work to increase school diversity. It represents a critical milestone in the City’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda, and begins to lay out an approach to increasing diversity in the school system. This includes 12 proposals to address policies and practices that pose challenges to school diversity; this report is organized in a way that aligns each activity to one of these proposals.

Equity & Excellence for All

3-K - High School

Issued policy statement to facilitate more diverse and inclusive schools and programs

In June 2017, as part of the diversity plan, the DOE issued a policy statement identifying its commitment to school diversity and belief that all students benefit from diverse and inclusive classrooms. This statement provides a platform for the DOE to implement its vision of Equity and Excellence for all NYC students with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Equity & Excellence for All

3-K - High School

Established School Diversity Advisory Group to support diverse and inclusive schools and programs

In June 2017, as part of the diversity plan, the DOE established a School Diversity Advisory Group (SDAG) to make formal policy recommendations to the Mayor and Chancellor. The chairs of the Advisory Group are José Calderón, President of the Hispanic Federation, Maya Wiley, chair of the Civilian Complaint Review Board and Professor of Urban Policy and Management at the New School, Hazel Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference, Amy Hsin, Associate Professor of Sociology at Queens College, and Richard Kahlenberg, Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation. The Advisory Group also includes city government stakeholders, local and national experts on school diversity, parents, advocates, students, and other community leaders. During the 2017-18 school year, the SDAG and its subcommittees have collectively held approximately 30 meetings and one day-long retreat to facilitate research and discussion of a number of key policy areas related to diversity. The SDAG hosted public town halls in every borough across NYC and a youth symposium to collect data from communities on the issues important to them. In December 2018, the SDAG will release a preliminary report and will continue to serve in its capacity into the new year.

Equity & Excellence for All

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 District Superintendent's Office, the DOE piloted a district-wide diversity in admissions plan for the 2017-18 pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten admissions cycle (for the entering class of fall 2018). Through the pre-K, kindergarten and Gifted and Talented admissions processes, ELL, STH and students eligible for FRL received priority for 67% of offers.

For fall 2018 admissions, seven of the 16 elementary schools in District 1 made offers within their target range – offering 57 to 77 percent of kindergarten seats to students identified as FRL, ELL, and/or STH. This is nearly double the four elementary schools in District 1 whose kindergarten enrollment was within the target range in the 2017-18 school year. Of the nine District 1 elementary schools that are not in the target range for offers, five moved closer to the target range as compared to their 2017-18 enrollment. Additionally, as part of District 1’s Diversity in Admissions priorities, 15 of the 16 elementary schools made kindergarten offers to a percentage of students with disabilities (SWD) near the district average – offering 9 to 29 percent of kindergarten seats to SWD. This progress is supported by the district’s Family Resource Center, which opened in October 2017 and is a one-stop shop for families to learn about and enroll in District 1 schools.

Expanding Diversity in Admissions Pilots

Middle School

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

The Department of Education worked with the urban planning and design firm WXY Studio and the D15 community to develop the D15 Diversity Plan over the 2017-18 school year. DOE and WXY worked with community leaders and stakeholders to convene a project Working Group responsible for ensuring an inclusive community process and for incorporating community feedback into a framework and set of recommendations. Three large Public Workshops and one final Community Presentation were held, reaching more than 500 D15 community members. A final set of draft recommendations was presented at a Community Presentation in June. As part of the plan, all District 15 middle schools will use an open admissions method for fall 2019 admissions and prioritize 52% of seats at each schools for students from low-income families, students in temporary housing, and English Language Learners.

Equity & Excellence for All

Elementary School - High School

Announced plan to launch a $2 million diversity grant program for school districts and communities

Using the work in District 15 as a model, the DOE will launch a $2 million grant program for other school districts and communities across the City to develop their own community-driven diversity plans. The $2 million will primarily be used to support community planning processes similar to the one in District 15, including engaging community planning firms with expertise in this work, selecting and developing Working Groups, hosting community meetings and providing materials and translation, and developing final proposals. School districts will be able to apply for the grant this fall. We expect approximately 10 districts to participate in this round of grants.

Targeting funding to foster diversity

Middle School

Chancellor Carranza announces district 3 middle school diversity plan

Chancellor Richard A. Carranza  announced a districtwide plan to increase middle school diversity in District 3, which includes the Upper West Side and South Harlem. This is the first districtwide middle school diversity plan in New York City, and will prioritize 25 percent of seats for students from low-income families with lower academic performance in middle school admissions. The plan will go into effect for students entering 6th grade in 2019. The development of the District 3 middle school diversity plan has been driven by local parents and educators, including the District 3 Community Education Council and its Middle School Committee, District 3 Superintendent Ilene Altschul, and elementary and middle school principals.

Expanding Diversity in Admissions Pilots

3-K, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten

Aligned admissions processes for 3-K, pre-K, and Kindergarten

The DOE switched from a "Round 1/Round 2" model for the pre-K application and a "Main Round/Waitlist" model for 3-K to a "Main Round/Late Application" process for both for fall 2018 admissions, bringing them into alignment with the Kindergarten application. This greatly simplifies the application process for families participating in successive years' admissions processes.

Simplifying Admissions Methods and Processes

Elementary School

Equity & Excellence - Universal Literacy

Through Universal Literacy, schools receive support from a dedicated reading coach, who works with Kindergarten through 2nd grade teachers to ensure students are reading on grade level by the end of 2nd grade. The goal of the initiative is to have at least two-thirds of students reading proficiently by the end of 2nd grade by 2022, with the target of 100 percent of all 2nd-graders reading at grade level by 2026. In 2017-18, 240 reading coaches supported more than 300 schools in fourteen districts. As of fall 2018, 426 Universal Literacy reading coaches will support schools across all 32 districts. In 2018-19, Universal Literacy is expanding to support all 792 K-2 district schools, serving approximately 200,000 kindergarten through 2nd graders.

Equity & Excellence for All

Elementary School - High School

Partner with schools to examine their policies, practices and procedures that lead to inequitable outcomes.

Culturally Responsive Environments Attaining Transformative Equitable Solutions (CREATES) is a cohort of schools using the CRE Framework to ensure that policies, practices, and procedures that exist and those that are created, are filtered through a culturally responsive and equity lens. By using this framework and lens, ESI will support these schools on their collective journey towards equitable outcomes for all students. CREATES consisted of 14 schools in the 2017-18 school year. In 2018-19 the program will expand to 34 schools.

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

Elementary School - High School

Worked with teachers to examine their beliefs and their pedagogy. A personal and professional journey that led to critically conscious examination of instruction, policies and practices.

The Critically Conscious Educators Rising (CCER) Series, co-sponsored by the NYU Metro Center and the NYCDOE Expanded Success Initiative, convened a group of like-minded educators monthly to focus on tying theory to practice in the pursuit of equity and racial justice in our classrooms and beyond. Participants will have the opportunity to present to other educators how the series has shaped their classroom teaching at the Decolonizing Education Conference. Over 360 educators have participated to date.

Equity & Excellence for All

Elementary School - High School

The IB/CRE team will work to fulfill the goals of increasing awareness about implicit bias and of reducing these biases by providing a professional learning series that will set a two-year target to reach 140,000 NYCDOE staff members citywide. Inherent in this training is a focus on culturally responsive practices as an approach to promoting greater systemic equity.

IB/CRE team is committed to implementing a two-year program aimed at addressing implicit bias system-wide by: (1) evaluating and amending current policies and practices to align with research-based best practices in this area; (2) increasing awareness and critical consciousness about implicit bias by training 140,000 employees including members of superintendent teams, Field Support Center staff, principals, teachers, and other District personnel; (3) deepening this work by providing extended learning opportunities to key stakeholder groups; and (4) building capacity and sustainability for this work by training leaders of this work at different touchpoints within the NYCDOE. Over 1,000 NYC DOE educators have attended the IB/CRE workshops to date.

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

High School

Worked with 11 schools to increase the number of students engaged in peer-to-peer mentorship programs.

New York City Young Men's Initiative (YMI), in partnership with the New York City Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) and the New York City Department of Education's Expanded Success Initiative (ESI), has embarked on the mission of supporting New York City high schools with existing peer-to-peer mentoring programs to increase the number of students engaged while strengthening and expanding the quality of service provided within priority communities. Through funding requests, schools have been selected with comprehensive programs that demonstrate versatility and also incorporate elements that align with ESI's core tenets in order to continue to increase the number of black and Latino young men that graduate college and career ready.

Equity & Excellence for All

Elementary School - High School

Equity & Excellence - Computer Science for All

Through Computer Science for All, every student will receive computer science education in elementary, middle, and high school by 2025. As of fall 2018, approximately 1,500 teachers across the district received Computer Science for All training to bring back to their 690 elementary, middle, and high schools.

Equity & Excellence for All

Elementary School - High School

Equity & Excellence - District- Charter Partnerships

District-Charter Partnerships pairs district and charter schools to foster strong relationships and share best practices. In 2018-19, 36 schools are joining the 143 district and charter schools already partnering to share best practices for a total of 179 schools. These efforts include learning partnerships through the District-Charter Collaborative; co-located schools building campus community and sharing practices; and training provided through KIPP Through College and the DOE Uncommon Schools Impact Partnership. In addition, this year, 32 principals, assistant principals and instructional leaders will engage in professional development through the Relay Graduate School of Education National Principals Academy Fellowship. Several community and high school superintendents are continuing their work to implement district-wide partnerships throughout the year.

Equity & Excellence for All

Elementary School, Middle School

Equity & Excellence - Algebra for All

Through Algebra for All, by 2022, every student will have access to Algebra in 8th grade, complete Algebra no later than 9th grade, and there will be academic supports in place in elementary and middle school to build greater Algebra readiness. As of fall 2018, approximately 1,300 teachers across 440 elementary, middle, and high schools have received Algebra for All training to strengthen math instruction and are working to increase the amount of time they devote to math instruction. 231 elementary schools are working to “departmentalize” 5th-grade math – having their math instruction led by a specialized teacher who has received intensive training.

Equity & Excellence for All

Elementary School - High School

Expanded outreach and engagement to include DV shelters, NYCHA / DYCD, and foster care agencies

The DOE built partnerships with HRA-DV, NYCHA, DYCD, and ACS-Foster Care to ensure that other vulnerable populations are included in the comprehensive admissions outreach and engagement done for Students in Temporary Housing.

Improving Efforts to Support Students in Temporary Housing

Elementary School - High School

Provided trainings for school staff working with Students in Temporary Housing (STH)

The DOE offered monthly professional development trainings to school principals and staff regarding specific rights, needs, expectations and how best to accommodate and collaborate on the needs of STH. Trainings were targeted primarily in the Brooklyn, as well as some districts across other boroughs.

Improving Efforts to Support Students in Temporary Housing

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 2017-18, 240 AP courses were added across 131 schools, 30 of which did not previously offer any AP courses. As of fall 2018, AP for All is supporting 252 high schools to expand their AP course offerings, including 82 schools that offered no AP courses before joining 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 34 high schools among students of color and low income students who are not currently enrolled in AP courses.

Equity & Excellence for All

Middle School

Equity & Excellence - College Access for All Middle School

In the 2018-19 school year, every middle school student will have the opportunity to visit a college campus. In 2017-18, 355 schools across 22 districts implemented the program. In 2018-19, all 517 middle schools across 34 districts, including districts 75 and 79, will bring over 70,000 7th-graders to college campuses, and engage students and families in a schoolwide college and career culture.

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 2017-18, 269 schools received training and funding to build a schoolwide college and career culture. Additionally, 41,100 CUNY college application fee waivers were redeemed, and the SAT exam was available free of charge during the school day for juniors in over 500 eligible high schools and programs.

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. In 2018-19, approximately 140 Single Shepherds are serving approximately 15,000 grade 6-12 students at all 46 middle and high schools in Districts 7 and 23.

Equity & Excellence for All

3-K

Launched 3-K programs in districts 7 and 23 in 2017 and expanded to districts 4, 5, 16 and 27 in 2018

3-K for All brings free, full-day, high-quality education to 3-year-olds in NYC. In June 2017, the DOE began the path to 3-K for All in districts 7 and 23 by launching the first 3-K application process for fall 2017 admissions--making offers to nearly 800 students to fill 100% of available seats. In 2018, ~9,500 students submitted applications for admission to 3-K for All programs for fall 2018 and over 3,200 families received an offer. For the first time, families could apply to programs in Districts 4, 5, 16 and 27.

Equity & Excellence for All

Pre-Kindergarten

Record high percentage of families received top pre-k choice

A record 75 percent of families received an offer to their top pre-K choice. 88 percent of families received an offer to one of their top three choices, also a new record. All families who applied by the March 30, 2018 deadline received an offer for a Pre-K for All seat for fall 2018. Admissions results for families continue to improve: in 2016, 71 percent of families received an offer to their top choice and 85 percent of families received an offer to one of their top three choices.

Equity & Excellence for All

High School

Specialized High Schools Diversity Initiative - Developed an outreach team aimed at increasing SHS enrollment among underrepresented populations

In 2017-18, the outreach team continued to strengthen relationships with community partners with the goal of effectively promoting and increasing visibility of Specialized High Schools to students and families from underrepresented backgrounds. In 2017-18, the team attended over 60 community events and presented at approximately 30 libraries in underrepresented districts. Additionally, the DOE, in collaboration with the Hispanic Federation, hosted its first-ever, Spanish language SHS Information and Resource Fair at Bronx Science. Over 1,100 families attended the event which included an appearance by Chancellor Carranza who spoke about the importance of having information sessions in families' native language.

Improving Diversity at the Specialized High Schools

Middle School and High School

Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza Announce Plan to Immediately Expand Specialized High Schools Discovery Program, and to Eliminate Specialized High Schools Admissions Test Over Three Years

In June 2018, Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza joined parents, educators, advocates and students and announced a new plan to make admissions to New York City’s eight testing Specialized High Schools (SHS) more equitable while maintaining their high standards. The two-part plan includes:
(1) Expanding the Discovery program for disadvantaged students who just miss the SHSAT score required to receive an offer to an SHS. The DOE will begin to expand the Discovery program to 20 percent of seats at each SHS and adjust the eligibility criteria to target students attending high-poverty schools. Based on modeling of current offer patterns, an estimated 16 percent of offers would go to black and Latino students, compared to 9 percent currently.
(2) Eliminating the use of the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) as the sole criterion for admissions over three years. The elimination of the SHSAT would require State legislation. By the end of the elimination, the SHS would use the “University of Texas model,” where seats are reserved for top performers at each New York City middle school. Based on modeling of current offer patterns, 45 percent of offers would go to black and Latino students, compared to 9 percent currently; 62 percent of offers would go to female students, compared to 44 percent currently; and four times more offers would go to Bronx residents.

Improving Diversity at the Specialized High Schools

Elementary School, Middle School

NYSED Integration Pilot Program (NYSIPP) Grant - Districts 1, 2, 3, 10, 13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 30, 31

This NYSIPP grant is being administered in three phases over the next three years. The purpose of Phase I of the grant is to engage select district teams in professional learning, conducted by New York State Education Department, in the design of a districtwide integration plan that aligns with current initiatives to promote increased diversity across all schools within the district. Phases II and III of the grant will focus on implementation, beginning with a small integration pilot, followed by full implementation of the plan.

Increasing Participation of Underrepresented Students in STEM and Other Rigorous Courses

Elementary School - High School

Lambda Literary LGBTQ Writers in Schools Program

The Lambda Literary LGBTQ Writers in Schools Program pairs teachers with an LGBT author and provides copies of the books. 80 schools participated reaching 2,324 students.

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

Early Learn / Head Start

Partnered with DSS (HRA, DHS) to roll out shelter-based Childcare Access Liaison role

In order to ensure that the shelter staff newly designated as the Childcare Access Liaisons are equipped to support families in shelter as they search for childcare options, the DOE worked with DSS (HRA, DHS) to provide training and materials on how to enroll in Early Learn & Head Start programs. The DOE also promoted collaboration between the Family Assistants (DOE shelter-based staff) and the Childcare Access Liaisons (DHS shelter-based staff) so that families with multiple children could receive support for all of their children, not just the infant/toddler.

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

Elementary School

Continued Family English Initiative

The DOE continued 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.

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

Elementary School

Implemented re-zoning with a focus on diversity

The DOE worked with CEC 8 to develop a re-zoning impacting Throgs Neck. One of the goals of the rezoning was to promote equity and access by creating zones for the existing non-zoned schools in Throgs Neck: Bronx Delta School and P.S. 304. Additionally, the lines were drawn to equalize racial and socioeconomic diversity across the zones. The rezoning was approved in 2017-18 for implementation in 2018-19. This re-zoning is generally projected to reduce socioeconomic and racial concentrations in certain schools' zones and distribute students more equitably across Throgs Neck.

Ensuring Diversity is a Factor in School Rezoning

Elementary School

Implemented re-zoning with a focus on diversity

The DOE worked with CEC 10 to develop a re-zoning impacting Kingsbridge. The lines were drawn to equalize racial and socioeconomic diversity across the zones of P.S. 7 and P.S. 207. CEC 10 will vote on the rezoning proposal in October 2018 for implementation in 2019-20.

Ensuring Diversity is a Factor in School Rezoning

Elementary School

Implemented re-zoning with a focus on diversity

The DOE worked with CEC 30 to develop a re-zoning impacting Jackson Heights. The lines were drawn to equalize racial and socioeconomic diversity across the zones of P.S. 280 and P.S. 228/P.S. 149 and across the zones of P.S. 212 and P.S. 222/P.S. 69. CEC 30 approved the rezoning proposal in October 2018 for implementation in 2019-20.

Ensuring Diversity is a Factor in School Rezoning

Elementary School - High School

Expanded programs for English Language Learners in District 75

In 2017-18, there were a total of 34 bilingual in District 75 programs. These programs include Chinese Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) programs, TBE and Dual Language Spanish Programs, and a middle school TBE Yiddish Program. For the 2018-19 school year, there will be a total of 48 bilingual programs.

Planning for Diversity When Opening New Schools and Programs

Elementary School - High School

Develop NYCDOE Guidance Document on Culturally Responsive Teaching

In 2017-18, the DOE worked with researchers from Stanford University to create A Culturally Responsive Approach to Understanding Immigrant Origin Children. The purpose of this guide is to help bridge research from the academy to classrooms, with the recognition that only by learning from and with each other, can we help out immigrant origin and ELL students reach their full potential.

Equity & Excellence for All

Elementary School - High School

Provide Additional Support for Students and Families Displaced by 2017 Hurricanes

In the summer of 2018, the DOE provided schools with students and families displaced by Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria with social emotional libraries and materials in Spanish used in the countries affected by the hurricanes. Additionally, a 3-day training titled "Addressing the Diversity and Critical Needs of Newcomers" was held at the end of August for guidance counselors, social workers, teachers, administrators and field/central staff on integrating social emotional learning to support English Language Learner academic achievement.

Building Diverse Community Partnerships

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.

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

Elementary School - High School

Hosted conferences to support non-English speaking families

The DOE hosted five native language conferences in 2017-18 in Spanish, Mandarin, Haitian Creole and Korean 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.

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

Elementary School - High School

Gender Equity Trainings made available

Gender Equity Coordinator, Kimberly Shannon, offered Gender Equity in Schools trainings throughout the year. She has trained all Single Shepherds, as well as some parent coordinators, school staff, and parents.

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

Elementary School - High School

Women's History Month celebrated in schools & DOE Central Offices

During the month of March, the DOE hosted a Women's History Month Mini Museum and Expert Panel, which featured 40 students' projects that were submitted in response to a solicitation for projects that celebrated women's history. Teachers, Central staff, and Field Support staff were present for this event. DOE's Morning Bell and various communications promoted for schools to celebrate Women's History Month.

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

Elementary School - High School

PFLAG Training

The New York City Department of Education and PFLAG New York City partnered to train parent coordinators via Family Leadership Coordinators (FLC). FLCs typically hold workshops and training for their parent coordinators, and the LGBT Community Liaison reserved 10 two-hour trainings titled LGBT-Inclusive Family Support in School Communities: Capacity-Building Workshops for Parent Coordinators. Only 8 of these presentations were held due to scheduling complications during the end of the year. Two additional presentations were added for Substance Abuse Prevention Intervention Specialists (SAPIS) during their spring conference, for a total of 10 presentations reaching 308 people.

Fostering Welcoming School Climates for All Students

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.

Planning for Diversity When Opening New Schools and Programs

Elementary School - High School

Convened Harlem- El Barrio Educational Partnership

The DOE is working with Superintendents in Districts 3, 4, 5, and 6 to (1) increase enrollment and interest in high quality district schools by local Harlem and El Barrio families through a partnership with school communities, parent leaders, and families to support Equity and Excellence across NYC for all students; (2) to strengthen existing relationships and partnerships with Harlem and El Barrio schools and community organizations in Districts 3, 4, 5, and 6; and (3) to improve student achievement across Harlem and El Barrio schools, with special attention to serving the needs of boys and young men of color.

Building Diverse Community Partnerships

Elementary School - High School

Application and Test Registrations available in 10 languages

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

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

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, during the 2017-18 school year, 49 diversity in admissions pilots were implemented, including 28 elementary schools, 4 Gifted & Talented schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 high schools. In addition, 5 New York City Early Education Centers (NYCEECs) participated for the first time. Applications continue to be submitted by schools on a rolling basis for consideration for the 2018-19 school year. As of October 2018, there are 90 school participating in diversity in admissions plans for fall 2019 admissions.

Expanding Diversity in Admissions Pilots

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.

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 in 10 languages.

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

Elementary School - High School

Provided additional supports for students in temporary housing to participate in 3K-High School admissions processes

Supports and interventions have been put into place to increase awareness of and access to 3K through High School admissions processes for students in temporary housing and their families. These interventions have included transportation provided to admissions events, admissions hubs for students at fairs, trainings for shelter staff, shelter-based workshops, direct outreach to pre-Kindergarten non-applicants and other opportunities for targeted admissions support. In the 2018 admissions cycle, 52 percent of eligible students in shelter applied for Kindergarten, up from 41 the previous year. 74 percent of 5th graders in shelter participated in middle school admissions, compared to 79 percent last year. 98% of shelter students received an offer compared to 95% of all students. In 2018-19, the DOE has expanded the number of admissions hubs and targeted shelter-based events. We are holding hubs in 38 fairs this year as compared to 24 fairs last year. We held or participated in almost 20 shelter-based events, new for this year.

Improving Efforts to Support Students in Temporary Housing

Elementary School - High School

Outreach and information sharing with students with accessibility needs

The DOE asks each family who applies to one of the admissions processes (3K through HS) if their child has accessibility needs and requires an elevator in school. The DOE uses this information to ensure that all students have schools that appropriately meet their accessibility needs.

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

Elementary School - High School

Created local, community-based satellite enrollment sites to better reach underserved populations.

Building on the success of the Franklin K. Lane Satellite Enrollment Site the previous fall, the DOE hosted 8 pop-up enrollment sites throughout the city in underserved communities. Two of these sites are permanent - George Washington Campus in Washington Heights, and Beach Channel Campus in Far Rockaway. These allow greater access to information and ease of enrollment for families in these communities, for whom traveling to a FWC is a hardship.

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