Educational Leadership

One of the most important educational initiatives of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration has been the creation of Community Schools. Growing in number from 45 in 2014 to 267 today, NYC Community Schools partner with local community-based organizations (CBOs) to serve the whole child. That includes expanded learning programs, mental and other health-related services, and family empowerment opportunities.

A big new study by the RAND Corporation shows just how successful New York City’s Community Schools are for their students, significantly improving attendance, school safety, and graduation rates.

The program drives improvements in attendance, discipline and moving students to the next grade, a Rand Corp. study found, although there was only scant evidence of better test scores.