| e largest school district in the nation, with over a | | | | world. New York City school teachers in Harlem |
| million students, the New York City Public Schools | | | | will have an inner-city experience, while New York |
| face a mammoth task. In some ways New York | | | | City school teachers in Long Island may have a |
| City Schools are at an advantage because New | | | | more suburban teaching experience. |
| York State has required the stringent Regents | | | | Issues for New York City Schools |
| exam as a requirement for graduation for years. | | | | The size of New York City Schools and |
| That doesn’t mean that everyone in the | | | | classrooms is an issue that has haunted teachers |
| New York City Schools is fond of the mandatory | | | | for years. Most teachers agree that smaller class |
| tests, but it has put the city and state at an | | | | sizes are more effective for creating learning |
| advantage as far as meeting some of the No | | | | environments. Some students and teachers in |
| Child Left Behind Act’s Standards. At least | | | | about 50 New York City Schools have moved |
| teachers and administrators of the New York City | | | | into smaller sized school buildings. Teachers in New |
| Schools already had some tight standards in place. | | | | York City Schools say that smaller school sizes |
| Teachers in New York City Schools need to have | | | | create a more intimate setting, better |
| or obtain a Master’s Degree to teach. | | | | parent-teacher relationships, and higher student |
| While the New York City Schools are in need of | | | | achievement. Teachers also have a better chance |
| teachers, just like the rest of the nation, the | | | | of individualizing instruction when there are fewer |
| standards that they hold their teachers to and the | | | | students in a classroom. While the small schools |
| pay are among the highest in the country. | | | | initiative was mainly targeted at school size, |
| That’s not to say the New York City | | | | teachers try to address class size as well. |
| Schools don’t have problems- they do. | | | | Teacher turnover has been an issue in many, |
| But the New York City Schools do have a sound | | | | usually poorer, New York City Schools. Coming up |
| foundation for hiring teachers. | | | | with ways to keep teachers happy in these |
| Diversity of New York City Schools | | | | at-risk areas continues to be a challenge. Tenured |
| For anyone who hasn’t visited the Big | | | | teachers often leave these for |
| Apple, it’s not easy to explain the | | | | “better” schools. And turnover |
| different worlds that exist in one city. It’s | | | | itself creates issues. The teachers in the New |
| like the difference between the hustle and busy | | | | York City Schools have a tough job by |
| of New York City and the rural feel of the rest | | | | anyone’s standards. And as the country |
| of New York State- different worlds. For | | | | looks for solutions to public education, New York |
| teachers in New York City it means that where | | | | City Schools will continue to be watched closely. |
| you teach can make all the difference in the | | | | |