Alex Zimmerman
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alexzimmerman.bsky.social
Alex Zimmerman
@alexzimmerman.bsky.social
2.6K followers 380 following 33 posts
NYC public schools @ Chalkbeat
Signal: agz.95
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Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
bethfertig.bsky.social
“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...
As Mamdani vows to end mayoral control of NYC schools, it has already weakened under Adams
Zohran Mamdani campaigned on ending mayoral control of NYC schools. Eric Adams has already ceded some of it.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 22, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
michaelelsenroo.bsky.social
New 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...
Eric Adams declares victory on class size reduction — by issuing 10,500 exemptions
NYC officials quietly issued thousands of exemptions to class size law. Did your school get one?
www.chalkbeat.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:06 AM
alexzimmerman.bsky.social
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
zohrankmamdani.bsky.social Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · Oct 22
NYC’s Dept. of Education spends around $10 billion/year on contracts.

Many provide essential services to our schools, yet with over 3,000 active contracts, DOE faces major efficiency challenges.

DOE needs procurement reform.

Yesterday I announced my platform to deliver it.
NYC Mayor’s Race: Mamdani unveils plan to root out ‘duplicative’ education spending at city’s public schools | amNewYork
Democratic mayoral nominee and frontrunner Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday rolled out a plan to overhaul how the city's Education Department inks contracts with
www.amny.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:01 PM
alexzimmerman.bsky.social
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...
Mamdani’s opponents want to grow NYC’s gifted programs. Attracting students isn’t easy.
Cuomo and Silwa want to expand kindergarten gifted classes. Mamdani prefers to keep programs starting in third grade. A new analysis uncovered lagging enrollment in the current program.
www.chalkbeat.org
October 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
michaelelsenroo.bsky.social
Lost 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...
NYC gifted and talented: Mamdani’s calls for change comes amid already shifting landscape
Mamdani wants to rethink gifted and talented in NYC schools. The program has already seen big changes.
www.chalkbeat.org
October 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
michaelelsenroo.bsky.social
Eric 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...
September 29, 2025 at 2:22 PM
alexzimmerman.bsky.social
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...
NY lawmakers demand investigation into charter school rally, alleging coercion
After a major charter school rally, two state senators are calling for an investigation into whether schools pressured families, staff, and students to attend.
www.chalkbeat.org
September 19, 2025 at 10:06 PM
alexzimmerman.bsky.social
After federal funding threat, NYC Mayor Eric Adams targets transgender students’ bathroom access
www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
After Trump administration threat, Adams targets transgender student bathroom policies
Mayor Eric Adams’ comments come after the Trump administration threatened to hold up federal grant funding to NYC because of the city’s policies on transgender students.
www.chalkbeat.org
September 18, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
michaelelsenroo.bsky.social
Really excited for this talk next week at Lofty Pigeon about two important books. NYC education folks - would love to see you there!
alexfreidus.bsky.social Alex Freidus @alexfreidus.bsky.social · Sep 10
This is the right time to talk about politics and policies in NYC schools! I'm really looking forward to this @bkbookfest.bsky.social conversation with @michaelelsenroo.bsky.social and Ryane Straus. Please join us!

www.eventbrite.com/e/diversity-...
September 12, 2025 at 1:52 PM
alexzimmerman.bsky.social
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...
Why your kid’s NYC school calendar has fewer days than you think
State law requires New York schools to have 180 instructional days. But this year, New York City students are only in class for 176 days.
www.chalkbeat.org
September 9, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
andrewujifusa.bsky.social
"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...
Zohran Mamdani stays mum on plans to improve NYCs highest-need public schools
Asked how he would improve New York City’s highest-need schools, Zohran Mamdani offered few concrete policy ideas.
www.chalkbeat.org
September 6, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
positivesubway.bsky.social
This 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?...
Student Journalists Interview NYC Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos (P.S. Weekly)
YouTube video by The Bell
youtu.be
August 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
rcobooth.bsky.social
really liked this @alexzimmerman.bsky.social piece talking with @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's favorite teacher

www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
Meet Zohran Mamdani’s favorite NYC high school teacher
Marc Kagan shares his memories teaching Zohran Mamdani at Bronx Science.
www.chalkbeat.org
August 23, 2025 at 12:36 PM
alexzimmerman.bsky.social
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...
Meet Zohran Mamdani’s favorite NYC high school teacher
Marc Kagan shares his memories teaching Zohran Mamdani at Bronx Science
www.chalkbeat.org
August 21, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
michaelelsenroo.bsky.social
Part 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...
August 14, 2025 at 12:49 PM
alexzimmerman.bsky.social
If you read one thing today, read this 👇
michaelelsenroo.bsky.social Mike Elsen-Rooney @michaelelsenroo.bsky.social · Aug 13
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...
‘They’ve given her a lot of hope’: A NYC school fights to educate an undocumented teen under Trump
For Bridget and Marta, ELLIS Prep often felt like the only public institution with its arms open in a city and country that seemed not to want them.
www.chalkbeat.org
August 13, 2025 at 1:05 PM
alexzimmerman.bsky.social
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...
NYC schools get millions to implement student cellphone ban
With the state’s new ‘bell-to-bell’ ban, NYC schools are getting a cash infusion for cellphone storage. Find out how much your school is getting.
www.chalkbeat.org
August 7, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
chalkbeat.org
A 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.
Annie and Lakeesha struggle in school. AI teacher assistants treated them very differently.
A 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.
bit.ly
August 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
caylabam.bsky.social
"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...
NYC officials embraced a special education court order. Then they didn’t follow it.
Nearly two years after NYC officials embraced a series of special education reforms mandated by a federal judge, the city has not followed through on most of them.
www.chalkbeat.org
August 5, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social
Catch @alexzimmerman.bsky.social on demographics at NYC's specialized high schools.

www.wnyc.org/story/segreg...
Segregation at NYC's Specialized High Schools | The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC
Alex Zimmerman, reporter at Chalkbeat New York, reports on the ongoing issue of segregation at specialized high schools, and how the mayoral candidates say they'd like to tackle it.
www.wnyc.org
August 5, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social
Today:
- @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
August 5, 2025 at 1:38 PM
alexzimmerman.bsky.social
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...
NYC education officials have yet to release high school admissions data
“It’s right to ask the mayor, ‘Where the heck is this?’” one government transparency advocate said.
www.chalkbeat.org
July 31, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
michaelelsenroo.bsky.social
Enraging 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...
July 29, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Reposted by Alex Zimmerman
andrewujifusa.bsky.social
Beginning 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...
NYC public schools must use city-approved programs to help struggling readers next year
All NYC schools, from elementary to high school, will now have to use city-approved reading programs to help struggling readers.
www.chalkbeat.org
July 17, 2025 at 10:08 PM
alexzimmerman.bsky.social
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)
June 24, 2025 at 10:58 PM