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Yahoo
16 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
NYC kids are so unchallenged by dumbed-down curriculum they read novels in math class
Students in New York City's largest school district are so bored by the DOE's dumbed-down math curriculum they read novels in class, parents say. Families are forced to shell out thousands of dollars for tutors or flee in search of more challenging programs, parents say. Parents in District 2, which covers most of Midtown, Lower Manhattan and the Upper East Side, are demanding accelerated math classes in elementary school and geometry starting in middle school to keep kids on par with their peers elsewhere in the city and country. 'Kids are reading novels in math class because they are bored,' Danyela Egorov, a member of District 2's Community Education Council, told Superintendent Kelly McGuire during a recent board meeting. Egorov said parents have told her they are considering moving to Brooklyn's District 20 because it will offer geometry in some middle schools next year, setting kids up to take Algebra II in ninth grade. Other districts in Brooklyn and Queens already offer the accelerated option. 'It's the only chance they have of getting geometry in middle school since they cannot pay for private school,' Egorov said. Kids in middle schools that offer accelerated math end up a full year ahead of those in District 2, which is one of highest-performing in the city, argued Manpreet Boparai, another CEC 2 member. For kids graduating the Lower Lab School, which offers a gifted and talented program and sixth-grade-level math in fifth grade, it's even worse, Boparai noted. 'D2 middle schools hold them back and make them repeat sixth-grade math, taking them off track to finish geometry in eighth grade,' she told The Post. 'They don't need more puzzles. They need to be accommodated to stay on the track they're already on.' CEC 2 members Allyson Bowen and Maud Maron told McGuire in a letter last week there is an 'urgent need' for math reforms in District 2 and demanded a meeting to discuss establishing a 'math path' pilot program, and a task force to monitor its success. 'Parents are leaving the system due to a lack of rigorous academic offerings,' they wrote, citing the city Department of Education's annual school survey. Meanwhile, other parents are turning to pricey math tutors and after-school programs like the Russian School of Mathematics, or RSM. A West Village mom and her husband with three children in District 2 schools pay a total $6,400 to send all three to supplemental math programs at RSM, which starts teaching algebra concepts in first grade, she told The Post. 'We want to make sure that our kids are well set for a successful future, having math ahead of what the public schools are currently offering. Because that's not enough to be competitive.' After the regular school day, her kids spend two to two-and-a-half hours weekly in RSM, and take on additional homework. 'So it's a commitment, and not a fun one. Other kids are playing ball, and my kids have to do some brain work.' In affluent neighborhoods, such programs are apparently growing in popularity. 'I live on the same block as Russian School of Mathematics and I see parents lined up,' Leonard Silverman, the board's vice president, told McGuire during last month's meeting. Even Superintendent McGuire admitted that his son is taking math classes this summer to catch him up for pre-calculus, because his middle school did not provide accelerated options. Despite continued requests and repeated meetings, McGuire said there are currently no plans to bring geometry to middle schools in the district next year. He is waiting to hear interest from principals, he said, and maintained that the pilot proposals would require a 'heavy lift' of resources. Egorov argued that principals don't promote accelerated learning out of fear of protests from critics who say its inequitable.
New York Post
a day ago
- General
- New York Post
NYC parents pay $2K in tutors to make up for math classes leaving kids 'bored'
Students in New York City's largest school district are so bored by the DOE's dumbed-down math curriculum they read novels in class, parents say. Families are forced to shell out thousands of dollars for tutors or flee in search of more challenging programs, parents say. Parents in District 2, which covers most of Midtown, Lower Manhattan and the Upper East Side, are demanding accelerated math classes in elementary school and geometry starting in middle school to keep kids on par with their peers elsewhere in the city and country. Advertisement 'Kids are reading novels in math class because they are bored,' Danyela Egorov, a member of District 2's Community Education Council, told Superintendent Kelly McGuire during a recent board meeting. 4 Children in District 2 elementary and middle schools are bored and unchallenged in math class. sakkmesterke – Egorov said parents have told her they are considering moving to Brooklyn's District 20 because it will offer geometry in some middle schools next year, setting kids up to take Algebra II in ninth grade. Other districts in Brooklyn and Queens already offer the accelerated option. Advertisement 'It's the only chance they have of getting geometry in middle school since they cannot pay for private school,' Egorov said. Kids in middle schools that offer accelerated math end up a full year ahead of those in District 2, which is one of highest-performing in the city, argued Manpreet Boparai, another CEC 2 member. For kids graduating the Lower Lab School, which offers a gifted and talented program and sixth-grade-level math in fifth grade, it's even worse, Boparai noted. 'D2 middle schools hold them back and make them repeat sixth-grade math, taking them off track to finish geometry in eighth grade,' she told The Post. 'They don't need more puzzles. They need to be accommodated to stay on the track they're already on.' Advertisement 4 Community Education Council member Maud Maron says the situation is 'urgent.' J.C. Rice CEC 2 members Allyson Bowen and Maud Maron told McGuire in a letter last week there is an 'urgent need' for math reforms in District 2 and demanded a meeting to discuss establishing a 'math path' pilot program, and a task force to monitor its success. 'Parents are leaving the system due to a lack of rigorous academic offerings,' they wrote, citing the city Department of Education's annual school survey. Meanwhile, other parents are turning to pricey math tutors and after-school programs like the Russian School of Mathematics, or RSM. Advertisement 4 Allyson Bowen and Maron told McGuire in a letter last week there is an 'urgent need' for math reforms in the district. William C Lopez/New York Post A West Village mom and her husband with three children in District 2 schools pay a total $6,400 to send all three to supplemental math programs at RSM, which starts teaching algebra concepts in first grade, she told The Post. 'We want to make sure that our kids are well set for a successful future, having math ahead of what the public schools are currently offering. Because that's not enough to be competitive.' After the regular school day, her kids spend two to two-and-a-half hours weekly in RSM, and take on additional homework. 'So it's a commitment, and not a fun one. Other kids are playing ball, and my kids have to do some brain work.' In affluent neighborhoods, such programs are apparently growing in popularity. 4 Danyela Egorov says children are reading novels in math class because they're bored. William C Lopez/New York Post 'I live on the same block as Russian School of Mathematics and I see parents lined up,' Leonard Silverman, the board's vice president, told McGuire during last month's meeting. Advertisement Even Superintendent McGuire admitted that his son is taking math classes this summer to catch him up for pre-calculus, because his middle school did not provide accelerated options. Despite continued requests and repeated meetings, McGuire said there are currently no plans to bring geometry to middle schools in the district next year. He is waiting to hear interest from principals, he said, and maintained that the pilot proposals would require a 'heavy lift' of resources. Egorov argued that principals don't promote accelerated learning out of fear of protests from critics who say its inequitable.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trans activists push measure to issue ‘predator' warning to schools if Cuomo wins mayoral race
Lefty activists pushed a resolution this week to issue a predator warning to schools if Andrew Cuomo is elected mayor. The bizarre political stunt happened Wednesday at the Community Education Council meeting for District 2. The motion called on the city to protect students and staff, specifically from Cuomo. It referenced his 2021 resignation following a report by state Attorney General Letitia James into allegations that he sexually harassed 11 women. 'Given the extremely serious nature of the allegations against Cuomo . . . CEC2 urges the City Council to institute protocols to safeguard students and school staff from a predatory mayor,' read the proposal, which failed in a 4-4 vote. 'I think this is one of the worst resolutions I've ever seen by District 2,' said Vice President Leonard Silverman, 'This one is just horrific.' 'If you have opposition to Andrew Cuomo becoming a mayor, I suggest you don't vote for him,' said the veep for District 2, which covers most of lower and Midtown Manhattan and part of the Upper East Side. Cuomo has adamantly denied all sexual misconduct allegations, and district attorneys concluded that there were insufficient legal grounds to bring criminal charges against him. Cuomo's campaign referred to a statement from Bishop Orlando Findlayter, pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Brooklyn. 'This is why people are so distrustful of politics — especially the politics of the far left that appears to be fueled by underhanded, transparent tactics and division,' Findlayter said, adding that Cuomo is a man of 'integrity.' 'Those attempting to engage in vile gutter politics for their own personal gain should really reflect on their actions going forward,' he added. Over 50 activists with the groups Trans Formative Schools and Aunties & Friends for Liberation flooded the meeting in support of the resolution and others including one opposing President Trump's executive order ending 'radical indoctrination' in schools. 'Diversity, equity and inclusion make our kids better people and there is evidence that it improves educational outcomes,' one mom claimed during public comment. They awkwardly danced the 'Macarena' and 'YMCA' in opposition to supporters of Resolution 248, a now-moot measure calling on the city Department of Education to review its policy allowing students to play on sports teams according to their gender identity. 'I would like to protect the right of women who were born biologically as women to have a fair environment in which to compete,' argued one father.
New York Post
26-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trans activists bombard NYC parent meeting, push DEI agenda
Lefty activists pushed a resolution this week to issue a predator warning to schools if Andrew Cuomo is elected mayor. The bizarre political stunt happened Wednesday at the Community Education Council meeting for District 2. The motion called on the city to protect students and staff, specifically from Cuomo. It referenced his 2021 resignation following a report by state Attorney General Letitia James into allegations that he sexually harassed 11 women. 'Given the extremely serious nature of the allegations against Cuomo . . . CEC2 urges the City Council to institute protocols to safeguard students and school staff from a predatory mayor,' read the proposal, which failed in a 4-4 vote. 3 Dozens of activists have been flooding the meetings since March 2024. J.C. Rice 'I think this is one of the worst resolutions I've ever seen by District 2,' said Vice President Leonard Silverman, 'This one is just horrific.' 'If you have opposition to Andrew Cuomo becoming a mayor, I suggest you don't vote for him,' said the veep for District 2, which covers most of lower and Midtown Manhattan and part of the Upper East Side. Cuomo has adamantly denied all sexual misconduct allegations, and the criminal cases that arose from James' probe have all been dropped. Cuomo's campaign referred to a statement from Bishop Orlando Findlayter, pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Brooklyn. 3 The activists danced the macarena in a bid to show their opposition to the bill. J.C. Rice 'This is why people are so distrustful of politics — especially the politics of the far left that appears to be fueled by underhanded, transparent tactics and division,' Findlayter said, adding that Cuomo is a man of 'integrity.' 'Those attempting to engage in vile gutter politics for their own personal gain should really reflect on their actions going forward,' he added. Over 50 activists with the groups Trans Formative Schools and Aunties & Friends for Liberation flooded the meeting in support of the resolution and others including one opposing President Trump's executive order ending 'radical indoctrination' in schools. 3 Maud Maron, a parent activist on the District 2 Community Education Council, who has been a target of the activists. J.C. Rice 'Diversity, equity and inclusion make our kids better people and there is evidence that it improves educational outcomes,' one mom claimed during public comment. They awkwardly danced the 'Macarena' and 'YMCA' in opposition to supporters of Resolution 248, a now-moot measure calling on the city Department of Education to review its policy allowing students to play on sports teams according to their gender identity. 'I would like to protect the right of women who were born biologically as women to have a fair environment in which to compete,' argued one father.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
President of ultra-woke NYC parent group resigns — blasting city officials as ‘fascists' in scathing letter
The lefty president of a woke Brooklyn parent group resigned last week with a scathing message blasting city officials as 'fascists.' Marissa Manzanares, the interim president of the Community Education Council for District 14's Greenpoint and Williamsburg, submitted her resignation on Monday, according to sources. 'Dear FACE and DOE Fascist Administrators,' began her message to city Department of Education and its office of Family and Community Engagement. 'My only regret is that I will no longer be able to work with the wonderful women who made this council a space of safety and support for all D14 students, families, and staff,' it continued. Manzanares, a creative arts therapist, then gave a shoutout to the parent group's administrative assistant, Sabine Barosy, and its former president, Tajh Sutton. Manzanares took the helm of the group after Sutton was booted for censoring free speech in meetings, blocking pro-Israel parents and those with opposing viewpoints from participating in them, and organizing anti-Israel protests, including student walkout that resulted in one group of kids yelling, 'F–k the Jews.' Manzanares and Sutton were both named in a lawsuit accusing them of violating the First Amendment and stifling debate. 'To the rest of you fascist and corrupt … politicians and company men, good luck when they come for you,' Manzanares' message to the DOE continued. 'BYE!' it added, and then, 'In solidarity and collective liberation, Marissa.' 'The maturity level — or lack thereof — is outrageous,' one Jewish parent told The Post. Parents barred from participation in the CEC in recent years are hoping to be voted back onto the council and for open, in-person meetings to resume. Campaigning for CEC seats is currently underway and voting, which happens every two years, will take place from late April through mid-May.
