Why PSPED parents are working together

In fact, they’re among the most segregated and unequal in the country (see the 2014 study by The Civil Rights Project at UCLA). District 3, which includes the Upper West Side and parts of South Harlem, is the most segregated and unequal district in New York City. Schools have vastly unequal resources, and families don’t have equal access to schools. Families with more resources can choose to live in "good" school zones - or, alternatively, use their resources to secure seats in schools they're not zoned for. Low-income families largely cannot do either. 

The result is unequally resourced and racially and economically segregated schools. Schools deemed "undesirable" by more affluent families face gaps in public funding. That makes it harder to develop and retain teachers, maintain rich educational programming, and provide support services to kids and families. On the other hand, schools with high percentages of affluent families often fail to identify, serve and include students and families who need extra support. 

Segregation divides parents who share a commitment to successful public schools. Public funding for schools is shamefully inadequate. Having segregated schools allows some Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to raise a million dollars to fill and supplement school budgets while others are unable to fundraise from their parent communities, leaving low-income schools alone to carry the burden of budget cuts. At the same time, well-resourced schools become magnets for families who can use their resources to get in, and, as a result, many of these schools are now overcrowded.

Fortunately, parent voices carry a lot of weight. Parents are coming together to challenge the formal policies and informal practices that have created school inequities. Read more about PSPED on this site, and sign up for our listserv.



If you have specific questions, or would like to discuss a specific school, email us at NYCPSPED@gmail.com.