Alex Zimmerman
NYC public schools @ Chalkbeat
Signal: agz.95
- Reposted by Alex Zimmerman“He has not been afraid to touch the third rail and have difficult conversations." Great profile of NYC schools chancellor Kamar Samuels, who has a tough job in front of him. via @alexzimmerman.bsky.social and @amyzimmer.bsky.social www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2026...
- Success Academy CEO Eva Moskowitz wants to hand over a Bronx charter school for her husband to operate — an arrangement that is raising eyebrows among state education officials www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2026...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanGreat read from @alexzimmerman.bsky.social on NYC’s new chancellor, his vision for the system, and what happens when Mamdani visits an elementary school: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2026...
- City Hall says "expect more news soon" on whether Adams will fill the two remaining mayoral vacancies on the PEP If he does, Mamdani will not be able appoint anyone to NYC's school board until June unless other mayoral appointees resign
- Adams has appointed a former GOP councilman to NYC's schools oversight panel, as the mayor continues to stack boards related to housing, policing and now education before Mamdani takes office, w/ @c-sommerfeldt.bsky.social @josiestratman.bsky.social www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/15/a...
- Adams allowed mayoral vacancies to fester for months, which has created a bunch of headaches for the Education Department (especially when it came to negotiating school bus contracts) Now, at the last minute, Adams us suddenly interested in filling seats www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanAdams has appointed a former GOP councilman to NYC's schools oversight panel, as the mayor continues to stack boards related to housing, policing and now education before Mamdani takes office, w/ @c-sommerfeldt.bsky.social @josiestratman.bsky.social www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/15/a...
- Education officials told NYC principals last week that students must be automatically arrested if they were found with weapons including scalpels and switchblades That is not true - but the DOE has yet to inform principals their policy guidance was wrong www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanOne sign of how bad NYC’s child care crisis has gotten: there are *10,000* kids sitting on a waitlist for low-income child care vouchers b/c the program is out of $. Some observers say that’s a logical place for Mamdani to start his push for universal child care: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex Zimmerman“The idea that we are rubber stamps and aren’t making judgements — that’s in the past." Now that mayoral control of the NYC schools isn't so tight, will Mamdani still try to loosen it? Great reporting by @alexzimmerman.bsky.social www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanNew w/ @alexzimmerman.bsky.social: NYC declared victory on a major class size deadline: >60% of classes under the caps. What they didn’t mention: they only got there by quietly declaring 10,500 classes exempt. W/o those, DOE would’ve been at 59.5% compliance: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- It seems very plausible that there is room to be smarter w/ contracting. But also notable that they didn't offer many examples. The only one Mamdani offered is DOE did not rigorously track the technology it bought for remote learning in the middle of a global health emergency
- After Mamdani announced plans to phase out gifted programs, Cuomo + Sliwa said they would expand them instead Eric Adams tried to do that — and roughly 1 in 3 of the city's gifted programs are underenrolled. Heres why w/ @michaelelsenroo.bsky.social www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanLost in the debate over NYC’s gifted and talented program rekindled by Mamdani’s proposal was the fact that the program underwent a big change in recent years: eliminating its admissions test. @alexzimmerman.bsky.social dug into how that change has played out: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanEric Adams’ first schools Chancellor David Banks shares his thoughts on the last year of Adams’ tenure as news comes he won’t seek a second term. Via @alexzimmerman.bsky.social: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- One parent, whose child attends a Zeta charter school, felt forced to miss work at a restaurant on Thursday to join the rally. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- After federal funding threat, NYC Mayor Eric Adams targets transgender students’ bathroom access www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanReally excited for this talk next week at Lofty Pigeon about two important books. NYC education folks - would love to see you there!
- New York students are supposed to have 180 days of school. NYC Public Schools has 176. @amyzimmer.bsky.social explains why: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex Zimmerman"To several education advocates and observers, the response underscored that Mamdani has largely stuck to broad promises to invest in schools rather than advancing detailed ideas." www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanThis is a worthwhile watch for stakeholders in NYCPS or people generally interested in K-12 issues, a nice get for these student journalists! youtu.be/cWWsh7sz4j0?...
- Reposted by Alex Zimmermanreally liked this @alexzimmerman.bsky.social piece talking with @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's favorite teacher www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- On the campaign trail, @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social shouted out his favorite teacher at Bronx Science. Here's what that teacher, Marc Kagan, remembers about having Mamdani in class: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanPart 2 is out today. It’s about what happens after the deportation campaign arrives at ELLIS’ doorstep and the difficult choices facing Bridget and the school as they try to make it through the Trump administration. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- For 6 months, I’ve followed ELLIS, a Bronx HS for newcomers, to understand what it means to educate immigrant students in Trump’s second term. Proud to share the 1st of 2 stories about ELLIS, Bridget, an undocumented teen, & the fight to keep her education alive. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- If you read one thing today, read this 👇
- For 6 months, I’ve followed ELLIS, a Bronx HS for newcomers, to understand what it means to educate immigrant students in Trump’s second term. Proud to share the 1st of 2 stories about ELLIS, Bridget, an undocumented teen, & the fight to keep her education alive. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- City and state officials promised to distribute $29 million to schools to comply with the new cell phone ban. So far, NYC is sending schools $16 million of it: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanA Common Sense Media study found that prominent teacher assistants that use AI generated recommendations that appeared to be rooted in racial stereotypes based on students’ names. About a third of teachers report using AI weekly, according to a recent survey.
- Reposted by Alex Zimmerman"The delays mean children may go without the transportation, physical therapy, counseling, and tutoring services they’re entitled to — or their parents may be forced to pay out of their own pocket" via @alexzimmerman.bsky.social www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanCatch @alexzimmerman.bsky.social on demographics at NYC's specialized high schools. www.wnyc.org/story/segreg...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanToday: - @alexzimmerman.bsky.social on demographics at NYC's specialized high schools, - @weillcornell.bsky.social's Lauren Osborne on pregnancy and anti-depressants, - @rbreich.bsky.social on Boomer economics, - Where to meet romantic prospects IRL Live at 10 on 93.9 FM, AM820 or @wnyc.org
- NYC's Education Department has yet to release high school admissions data, including specialized HS offers. The stats haven't been released after mid-June in more than a decade. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Aaand a few minutes after we published, the DOE released data that shows fewer Black and Latino students got offers to specialized high schools this year: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanEnraging story from @alexzimmerman.bsky.social. NYC hasn’t paid its ~1,000 Teaching Fellows the entire 7 weeks they’ve been working this summer, forcing some to go into debt to cover rent and food. This at a time the city is trying to hire in historic numbers: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanBeginning next school year, all of the city’s public schools — from elementary to high school — must pick from a list of at least nine city-approved intervention programs designed to help struggling readers: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Only ~77% of students attended school today according to preliminary data, down from ~83% yesterday Attendance is typically closer to 90% (tho this is also the final week of class)
- Hearing from some teachers this week about sweltering rooms, including those for kids with more complex disabilities. Nearly 1 in 5 NYC public school classrooms lack AC www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Hearing from some teachers this week about sweltering rooms, including those for kids with more complex disabilities. Nearly 1 in 5 NYC public school classrooms lack AC www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanICYMI: An inside look at a high school student's experience in NYC's highly touted apprenticeship program. Nearly 400 student apprentices across NYC split their days between school + job sites. A must-read from @alexzimmerman.bsky.social www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanMayor Adams hasn't taken question from Daily News reporter @c-sommerfeldt.bsky.social for months. So Chris called out to get his attention at today's press conference and the mayor tells security to bar him from future press conferences. Hard to not see that as by design
- New: NYC's teachers union is *not* endorsing in the Democratic mayoral primary due to deep divisions on issues from Israel to affordability “There’s not even somewhat of a consensus on this race," UFT prez Michael Mulgrew told me. "It is split all over the place.” www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanBronx HS student Dylan’s first public statement from ICE detention - where he remains: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanEvery predicted consequence of the Indian Point has come true: It's forced energy bills up and increased pollution. And it was entirely driven by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in a pretty major decision that has flown under the radar during his mayoral race -- www.lohud.com/story/news/n...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanICYMI: @alexzimmerman.bsky.social discussed the various plans democratic mayoral hopefuls have for public education in New York City on this morning's show. Catch up: www.wnyc.org/story/the-ma...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanIf you've been following the story of Dylan, the Bronx HS student detained by ICE, I hope you'll read this follow-up. I followed his school, ELLIS Prep, as they navigated the aftermath — rallying around Dylan while managing the fears spreading to other students. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex Zimmerman"New York City’s public schools routinely flout federal rules designed to prevent schools from removing children from class for long periods due to behavior related to their disabilities." www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex Zimmerman[This post could not be retrieved]
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanUnder federal law, schools must consider a student’s disability and special education plan during the suspension process. NYC public schools have been breaking the rules for years. A must-read from @alexzimmerman.bsky.social www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanGroundbreaking + critical reporting from @alexzimmerman.bsky.social: "NYC's public schools routinely flout federal rules designed to prevent schools from removing children from class for long periods due to behavior related to their disabilities." www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanI wrote about the ongoing Community Education Council elections in NYC - and how anger over efforts to roll back protections for transgender kids and links to right-wing parent groups in Manhattan’s CEC 2 have energized a growing effort to unseat PLACE-backed candidates in District 2 and beyond.
- Backlash over culture wars brings new energy to NYC’s parent council elections chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/05/09/…
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanSo proud of the student journalists @bellvoices.bsky.social for this must-listen dispatch on what it was like for NYC kids w/ undocumented parents to apply to college this yr. “I didn’t know if it was more important that I get my education than not know where my mom would be.”
- When filling out the FAFSA feels dangerous chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/04/24/…
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanCome work with @alexzimmerman.bsky.social, @amyzimmer.bsky.social and I covering NYC schools for @chalkbeat.org! workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/defau... Feel free to reach out if you're interested.
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanP.S Weekly is back! It's a podcast created by NYC high students (with help from @chalkbeat.org + @bellvoices.bsky.social). This bonus episode features @alexzimmerman.bsky.social in conversation with NYC students about admissions, resources, + equity. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanMass layoffs and other changes at Trump's Education Department have delayed hundreds of millions of dollars in reimbursements for New York state, an official said Monday. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025... via @alexzimmerman.bsky.social
- As the mayor talks up school-based mental health clinics at his presser this morning, worth noting funding for them is perpetually part of the budget dance
- Eric Adams touts school mental health clinics but omits them from his preliminary budget chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/03/20/…
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanIn the days following Trump's EO targeting schools' support of LGBTQ+ students, as many NYC families anxiously awaited reassurance from the city (www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...), City Hall debated, then nixed idea of issuing a strong statement, per @emmagf.bsky.social
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanNEW: With what appears to be just 1 person left from the Office of English Language Acquisition at the Ed Dept, advocates worry some $890M in federal $ for English learners won't be spent properly & the quality of teacher training will suffer. Here's what we know: www.chalkbeat.org/2025/03/21/t...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanNEW: This morning Trump said he wanted to move services for students with disabilities out of the Education Department and to Health and Human Services. Many experts say he can't do that without an act of Congress. Here's what we know — w/ @ericameltzer.bsky.social www.chalkbeat.org/2025/03/22/t...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanEric Adams touts school mental health clinics but omits them from his preliminary budget chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/03/20/…
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanRevenge of the bubble kids in NYC. Still as stupid to fixate on kids right below passing as it’s always been The kicker? In a district with low overall proficiency, resources that could go to kids struggling most are going to kids in the middle of the distribution
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanLinda McMahon’s first official K-12 visit: A Bronx charter school chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/03/14/…
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanNearly a third of U.S. Department of Education staff laid off chalkbeat.org/2025/03/11/educatio…
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanAnd some follow up: NYPD vowed more than a year ago to recruit ‘assistant’ school safety agents. They’ve hired 0. via @alexzimmerman.bsky.social + @michaelelsenroo.bsky.social www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanNYC’s school safety force has shrunk by nearly a third. Principals are raising alarms. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanOutside Chelsea CTE HS, where Mayor Adams is set to make an announcement on CTE programs, several HS students from NYC iSchool, which shares the building, are protesting.
- Brooklyn's P.S. 25 has just 53 students. Now, after a yearslong battle, NYC's smallest school is closing: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- The Panel for Educational Policy, which slated to vote on a school closure tonight, is unable to begin its meeting because only 12 of 24 members are present (majority are appointed by the mayor) We're about ~30 minutes late now
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanNew: NYC's City Council indefinitely postponed a long-awaited oversight hearing on school segregation, originally scheduled for Wed., over fears it could invite federal scrutiny following Trump "Dear Colleague" letter on diversity efforts: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanLGBTQ history videos find new home after PBS pulls content due to Trump executive orders chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/02/19/…
- An update on this saga: NYC Public Schools republished the videos PBS took down But one of the historians involved in creating the materials says it's only a partial victory www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanIt's not just at school that NYC students fear immigration enforcement - it's also on their commutes. "Now, every time I see a police officer, I get anxious and nervous around them,” a Bangladeshi student from the Bronx told us. W/ @amyzimmer.bsky.social www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- UFT chief Michael Mulgrew is going hard against Eric Adams in response to days of confusion about immigration enforcement guidance for schools www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- the public is learning about how nation's largest school system plans to handle federal immigration agents from the teachers union rather than district officials www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
- Meanwhile, the DOE and City Hall can't seem to straightforwardly say whether the union's messages about the policy are accurate via @michaelelsenroo.bsky.social
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanNYC schools to bolster translation services to families with limited English after lawsuit www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025... @chalkbeat.org @alexzimmerman.bsky.social
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanNYC public schools are updating a controversial math curriculum after the teachers union raised concerns about a lack of prerequisites — the second time since Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos took over the system that she has loosened such a requirement. www.nydailynews.com/2025/02/05/n...
- Reposted by Alex ZimmermanNYC parents push for statement from schools chancellor opposing Trump executive order on race, gender chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/02/04/…
