2015-2016 Demographic Data - Diversity Efforts

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

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 $5000 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.

Schools interested in additional supports for diverse learners and creating diverse schools

Building School Infrastructure to Support Diversity

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

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

As part of PROSE, schools were 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. 71 schools participated in schedule flexibility, allowing leaders to tailor school structure to meet specific needs of school communities. Teacher inter-visitations have been implemented in many schools, and encouraged the sharing of best practices in how best to serve a diverse school community.

Schools interested in additional supports for diverse learners and creating diverse schools

Building School Infrastructure to Support Diversity

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

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 created new initiatives and programs aiming to put an additional 1,000 men of color on course to become NYC public school teachers over the next three years. These initiatives include building out principal and mentor networks and utilizing culturally-relevant professional and leadership workshops.

Families and communities

Building School Infrastructure to Support Diversity

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten

Dual language programs available on K & Pre-K application

As part of the central Kindergarten application, families were allowed to apply directly to Dual Language program offerings rather than just the school itself. This allowed families to express a preference for this type of pedagogy, as well as enabled the DOE to better anticipate incoming populations of English Language Learners. On this application families were asked three short questions (aligned with the home language survey) to identify potential ELLs.

Future English Language Learners & families

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten

Implemented enrollment targets for 7 elementary schools as part of Pre-K and K admissions to increase school diversity

In partnership with principals and superintendents, the Office of Student Enrollment implemented admissions targets for seven elementary schools in an effort to increase school diversity and encourage access to schools for high-needs families. Each of these schools created admissions targets for students meeting certain criteria including Free and Reduced-price Lunch eligibility, English language learner status, and families impacted by incarceration. For schools with sufficient demand from these students, all were able to meet or exceed their stated targets. These schools will continue to maintain these targets for the coming admissions cycle.

Low-income students, English Language Learners, families impacted by incarceration, students in the child welfare system

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Launched formal call for diversity in admissions proposals to all DOE schools

Building on the success of the Diversity in Admissions pilot, OSE launched a formal call for proposals in May of 2016 for any DOE school to submit a plan to encourage diversity in their school through the admissions process. Proposals were encouraged to consider a school’s surrounding community and gain community and superintendent support. Applications were considered on a rolling basis, and those approved will be implemented during the 2016-17 school year.

Low-income students, English Language Learners, families impacted by incarceration, students in the child welfare system

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

12 additional schools were approved to implement diversity in admissions plans for the 16-17 admissions cycle

As part of the call for diversity proposals launched in the 15-16 school year, 12 additional plans were reviewed and approved to be implemented as part of the 16-17 admissions cycle. They will join the seven pilot schools for a total of 19 diversity in admissions plans to be implemented in 16-17.

Low-income students, English Language Learners, families impacted by incarceration, students in the child welfare system

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Gifted & Talented

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

Four new 3rd grade Gifted & Talented programs were offered in Districts 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.

Students in Districts 7, 12, 16, and 23

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Gifted & Talented

Determined eligibility for 4th and 5th grade G&T through multiple measures

For the 2015-16 school year, students were considered for available seats in 4th and 5th grade G&T programs utilizing multiple measures of achievement. These measures included student grades, state test scores, and teacher recommendations.

Rising 4th and 5th grade students and families

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Middle School

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

Schools that run their own admissions processes for middle school were encouraged to recruit and set targets for students with disabilities in proportion to the overall percent of students with disabilities by borough.

Students with Disabilities

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Kindergarten- 8th Grade

NYSED Socioeconomic Integration Pilot Program - District 9

Districts 3 and 9 are developing an innovative, project-based, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program. District 9 is targeting I.S. 117 Joseph H. Wade and Bronx Writing Academy; these schools will be partnering with four other schools in Districts 9/10.

Families and communities in District 9

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Middle School

DREAM-SHSI

DREAM-SHSI is an extracurricular program of rigorous coursework designed to assist economically disadvantaged NYC students (as defined by Title 1) in preparing for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test. In 2015-16, ~4,350 students representing all 32 districts were served by the 22-month program. An additional ~300 rising 8th graders were served as part of the new Intensive DREAM program in the summer and fall before the fall SHSAT administration.

High performing, high needs rising 8th graders from underrepresented populations

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Middle School

Discovery Program

In the summer of 2016, six Specialized High Schools sponsored a Discovery Program to give disadvantaged NYC students of demonstrated high potential the opportunity to gain admission. Students are certified as disadvantaged if they meet Title 1 eligibility criteria, receive assistance from HRA, are a foster child, or are new to the country and have a non-English home language. This year, a new program was launched at High School of American Studies at Lehman College, and the program at Brooklyn Tech saw an expansion. Across the six schools, 212 students were served.

High performing, high needs rising 8th graders from underrepresented populations

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

High School

Announced 6-point plan to increase diversity at the Specialized High Schools

Introduced a 6-point plan focused on increasing outreach and preparation programs for students from underrepresented populations. Initiatives received $15 million from OMB for work through FY20, and an additional $2 million from New York State. The initiatives include: 1. Developing an outreach team to increase outreach to students from underrepresented backgrounds to encourage participation in the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT)
2. Offer the SHSAT during the school day in 7 schools in fall 2016 to ease the burden of weekend testing
3. Leverage existing middle school after school programs to implement new SHSAT preparation programs
4. Expand DREAM, a SHSAT preparation program, to serve additional rising 8th grade students in an Intensive program
5. Expand Discovery, a preparation program for rising 9th graders who score below the minimum SHSAT offer score
6. Improve school climate at the Specialized High Schools to create more welcoming school cultures for diverse learners

High performing, high needs rising 8th graders from underrepresented populations

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

High School

Worked with school staff to establish programs with an admissions method that promotes academic diversity

Worked with school staff to establish programs with an admissions method that reserves seats for students in low, middle, and high ELA categories, to promote academic diversity through the Educational Option (Ed Opt) admissions method. Some of these programs were previously Screened and Limited Unscreened. These admissions method changes were included in the 2017 New York City High School Directory.

Families and communities

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten

Allowed flexibility in enrollment policies through PROSE participation

As part of PROSE, schools were given the opportunity to receive flexibility in enrollment policies that allowed schools to offer priorities in admission to high needs students and support a more diverse student population. 8 schools were approved for these enrollment priorities. (See Diversity in Admission pilot section for more detailed information)

Schools interested in additional supports for diverse learners and creating diverse schools

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Pre-Kindergarten

Encourage socioeconomic diversity in ACS NYCEECs

Starting in the 2015-16 school year, pre-K providers had the opportunity to offer a blended classroom serving both EarlyLearn funded students and full-day DOE funded students, with approval from DOE and ACS.

Families and communities

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Update enrollment guidance to allow Renewal Schools to accept students based on available seats

In summer 2016, guidance was edited to allow renewal schools to recruit and accept all students based on seat availability, allowing schools to diversity their student body and serve students from all neighborhoods.

Families and communities

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

2nd-11th Grade

Priority for acceptance given to students of Renewal Schools for Summer STEM and additional enrichment programs created

Students currently attending Renewal Schools were given priority enrollment in DOE Summer STEM programs. Renewal Schools also created additional summer enrichment programs for their students including Summer Bridge program, Writer's Workshop, and CareerCLUE. Greater access to enrichment programs encouraged program diversity and combatted summer learning loss among students of Renewal Schools.

Students of Renewal Schools

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Re-zonings

To alleviate overcrowding, the DOE proposed and CECs approved two elementary school re-zonings and one middle school re-zoning in the 2015-16 school year. As part of these efforts, the DOE took into consideration the existing diversity of the affected schools.

Families and communities

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Kindergarten- 8th Grade

NYSED Socioeconomic Integration Pilot Program - District 1

D1 SIPP grant working group continues its planning and implementation work which includes creating a magnet program at PS 15, proposing a permissible, educationally sound, equitable districtwide choice-based socioeconomic integration policy and developing a family resource center.

Families and communities in District 1

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Kindergarten- 8th Grade

NYSED Socioeconomic Integration Pilot Program - District 13

D13 SIPP grant working group continues its planning and implementation work which includes creating a magnet program at MS 113, proposing a permissible, educationally sound, equitable districtwide choice-based socioeconomic integration policy and developing a family resource center.

Families and communities in District 13

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Kindergarten- 8th Grade

NYSED Socioeconomic Integration Pilot Program - District 3

Districts 3 and 9 are developing an innovative, project-based, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program. District 3 is targeting Frederick Douglass Academy II secondary School, which will partner with four higher-income middle schools in District 3.

Families and communities in District 3

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

High School

Planned to translate the High School Admissions Events calendar beginning in September 2016

All high school open house and information session for admissions will be translated into 10 languages on the DOE website.

English Language Learners & families with non-English home language

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

High School

NYSED Socioeconomic Integration Pilot Program - Brooklyn STEAM Center

The Brooklyn Navy Yard serves as the cooperative service and technical hub (the Brooklyn STEAM Center) for high-quality Career and Technical Education programs serving students in three low-performing high schools (HS for Global Citizenship, George Westinghouse CTE HS, Boys and Girls HS) and five higher-performing partner high schools in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn STEAM Center is a NYSED grant funded program aimed at providing socio-economic diversity for all students and schools within the pilot. This new program opened in Fall 2015.

Families and communities in Districts 13, 16, 17

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten

Robocall families in both English and Spanish to remind them to apply

Target non-applicant groups using both English and Spanish.

English Language Learners

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Kindergarten

Outreach to families who indicate that their child has limited mobility

The DOE conducted outreach to families of students with limited mobility needs, who require an accessible school, to inform them of the two processes they can leverage to obtain an accessible site for their child.

Students with disabilities

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Kindergarten- 8th Grade

Federal Magnet school programs

The primary purpose of magnet schools as defined in federal legislation is to assist in the desegregation of schools. In the federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program for 2015-16, which has been in place since 2013, the DOE continued to implement magnet programs at seven elementary schools across three districts: 13, 15, and 28. These schools offer a wide range of distinctive education programs and partnerships capable of attracting substantial numbers of students of different backgrounds. The DOE received four new magnet grants for Queens and Brooklyn districts, to begin in October 2016.

Families and communities

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Update to Chancellor's Regulation A-101

A resolution passed by the Panel for Education Policy in October 2015 allowed for the removal of a footnote in Chancellor's Regulation A-101 which allowed for consideration of race as a factor in school enrollment only where required by a court order. In September 2016, the regulation was updated to allow schools to propose additional admissions priorities to achieve greater diversity.  

Families and communities

Creating Access Through Enrollment & School Planning

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Planning for additional supports for students in temporary housing to participate in PK-12 admissions processes

Planning was conducted for additional efforts for the 2016-17 school year to increase awareness and access of PK-12 admissions processes for students in temporary housing and their families. Future efforts will include transportation provided to Office of Student Enrollment events, additional training for shelter staff, and other opportunities for targeted admissions support.

Students in Temporary Housing & families

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Translation of handbooks/directories in 10 languages

For admissions processes PK-12, 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 & families with non-English home language

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Gifted & Talented

Application and Request for Testing (RFT) available online in 10 languages

Applications for all elementary admissions processes, including the Gifted & Talented request for testing, were available online in 10 languages.

English Language Learners & families with non-English home language

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

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, and 4410 programs are the primary providers of pre-K special education programs and services. The DOE distributed directories to these sites and conducted outreach to encourage participation in elementary admissions processes. Additionally, outreach was conducted to families participating in the Turning 5 process to encourage families to apply to kindergarten.

Students with Disabilities

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Gifted & Talented

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

For all Office of Student Enrollment (OSE) 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 receive translated signage and materials, as well as the services of interpreters to work with families one-on-one.

English Language Learners & families with non-English home language

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

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-K, OSE 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

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

Gifted & Talented

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

In addition to standard modes of outreach, OSE sent a postcard highlighting the opportunity to test for G&T to all students identified as in temporary housing citywide, as well as all eligible students in Districts 7, 12, 16 and 23. Additional outreach was also conducted to students participating in the Turning 5 process through the Committees on Preschool Special Education (CPSEs).

Families and communities

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

High School

Provided additional admissions support to students in temporary housing at the Citywide and Bronx High School Fairs

~2,400 families were invited to targeted support centers to work with admissions counselors and develop their high school applications.

Students in Temporary Housing & families

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

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 was 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. It 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 was available in Spanish and English. The beta version was launched in September 2016.

Families and communities

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

High School

Display seat targets and demand information for both General Education and Students with Disabilities in 2017 New York City High School Directory

All high schools that participate in the DOE's centralized admissions process have seats allocated for students with disabilities. This enrollment target is set to be in proportion to the overall percent of students with disabilities by borough. OSE also provided information about seat availability and prior year demand for each program for General Education and Students with Disabilities (SWDs) separately in order to highlight the fact that all schools serve SWDs.

Students with Disabilities

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Additional promotion and increased visibility of Renewal School offerings

Additional outreach and school promotion was conducted in an effort to highlight the progress and special programs housed at Renewal Schools. These events included State of the School events, Community School Forums, school participation at admissions events, and the creation of promotional materials.

Renewal Schools and their communities

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

Kindergarten - 12th Grade

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

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

Families and communities

Creating Access Through Outreach & Information Sharing

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Jared Fox appointed as NYCDOE’s first LGBT Community Liaison

Jared Fox was appointed to be the New York City Department of Education’s first LGBT Community Liaison in January 2016. Housed within the Office of Counseling Support Programs, Fox's role was initially funded by the City Council, and has since been baselined by the DOE.

Families and communities; School staff

Encouraging a Supportive School Climate

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Provided over 40 professional development opportunities for staff in all five boroughs on LGBTQ identity

During the 2015-16 school year, Fox reached over 2,200 school leaders with professional development training on gender identity and school community supports for LGBTQ students. For many, this was their first formal training on the topic of gender identity. Of note, Fox coordinated with the Office of Family and Community Engagement to provide an overview of LGBTQ identity to parent coordinators in all five boroughs. Additionally, Fox provided a full-day training on Gender Inclusive Schools for principals and assistant principals.

Families and communities; School staff

Encouraging a Supportive School Climate

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Creation of LGBT+ Advisory Council

The LGBT+ Advisory Council held its first meeting in June 2015 and its member organizations now total 34. These organizations meet bi-monthly to inform and support the LGBTQ work of the NYCDOE.

Families and communities; School staff

Encouraging a Supportive School Climate

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Pride Month celebrated in schools & DOE Central Offices

During the month of June, NYCDOE hosted its first Pride Celebration, honoring students and school leaders who have encouraged an inclusive environment in their school buildings. Over 150 students, school staff, and parents were in attendance at this inaugural event. Additionally, NYCDOE representatives and students marched in Brooklyn and Queens Pride parades.

Families and communities; School staff

Encouraging a Supportive School Climate

Middle School- High School

Equity & Excellence- Single Shepherd

Every student in grades 6-12 in Districts 7 and 23 will have support that focuses on the whole child, as well as their family on their journey inside and outside of the classroom. Each child will have a dedicated counselor or social worker who will support them through graduation and college enrollment. This initiative will be rigorously evaluated and may be expanded to other high-needs districts based on evidence. Approximately 120 shepherds have already been hired and will each support approximately 100 students.

Families and communities

Encouraging a Supportive School Climate

High School

Developed partnership with organizations included the Research Alliance at New York University and PASSNYC that focus on increasing access to high school admissions

Developed partnership with organizations including the Research Alliance at New York University and PASSNYC that focus on increasing access to high school admissions. Plan to partner on various initiatives and research topics moving forward.

High performing, high needs rising 8th graders from underrepresented populations

Evaluation for Continuous Improvement

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Brought together schools working on diversity initiatives to share ideas

During two in-person meetings and a conference call, Progressive Redesign Opportunity Schools for Excellence (PROSE) brought together 32 schools working on diversity initiatives to discuss their plans for increasing and supporting diversity at their schools. Topics discussed included recruitment strategies, professional development, and parent outreach.

Schools interested in additional supports for diverse learners and creating diverse schools

Evaluation for Continuous Improvement

Pre-Kindergarten-12th Grade

Equity & Excellence- District- Charter Partnerships

With a focus on supporting a diverse community of learners, 108 district and charter schools have partnered to share best practices. An additional 28 schools will be identified for new collaborative learning partnerships in fall 2016.

Families and communities

Evaluation for Continuous Improvement

High School

Participate in NYC Career and Technical Education (CTE) Gender Equity Committee

Participated in meetings of the NYC CTE Gender Equity Committee that focuses on gender equity in CTE programs. Plan to partner on various initiatives moving forward, including developing robust recruitment strategies.

Female students interested in CTE

Evaluation for Continuous Improvement