NYC advocates call for a pause on class-size caps before new official Mamdani assumes office.

Education advocates made a concerted appeal on Thursday to New York City officials, urging them to seek a delay in the implementation of the state’s class-size law before the inauguration of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. The law, enacted in 2022, mandates a cap on class sizes, limiting them to between 20 and 25 students based on grade level. The city has until Saturday to recommend a pause in the law’s enforcement as it has two additional school years to achieve full compliance.

The coalition advocating for this delay includes prominent organizations such as Educators 4 Excellence, Robin Hood, and EdTrust-New York. They have expressed concerns that the final phase of implementing the law may divert critical resources away from high-need schools and strain the overall budget of the education system. These worries are exacerbated by impending threats to federal funding and the anticipated financial commitments associated with Mamdani’s plans for universal child care.

Richard Buery, CEO of Robin Hood and former deputy mayor under Bill de Blasio, highlighted the importance of providing Mayor-elect Mamdani with the necessary financial flexibility to enhance the city’s educational progress. Buery emphasized that this request represents a vital opportunity to strategically reassess the educational funding landscape.

Despite the urgency of the situation, city officials have yet to confirm whether they are considering a request for a delay. The uncertainty surrounding Mamdani’s stance on this issue adds another layer of complexity, particularly since he has previously vocalized support for the class-size law and committed to hiring additional teachers to comply with its requirements.

The context of New York City’s education system cannot be overstated. With student proficiency rates lingering around 57% in math and 56% in reading, advocates argue that addressing class sizes is integral to improving educational outcomes. Evan Stone, CEO of Educators for Excellence, indicated that should a postponement be approved, the mayor-elect could still proceed with other planned educational reforms.

Advocates have raised critical points about the allocation of class-size funding. An analysis conducted by EdTrust-New York revealed that schools serving primarily Black, Hispanic, and low-income students received comparatively lower funding than those serving more affluent populations. This disparity heightens the need to reassess how resources are allocated amidst a landscape marked by significant federal scrutiny.

State Senator John Liu, who sponsored the class-size legislation, reiterated the city’s legal obligation to adhere to the new regulations. Liu questioned whether the November 15 deadline was inflexible and called for a discussion around possible adjustments within the framework of the law.

As the city navigates these challenges, it has taken steps to recruit more teachers and repurpose existing spaces into classrooms, though it has avoided more drastic measures that would incur higher costs or create significant disruption. The law does allow for exemptions, which have already been requested by several specialized high schools.

In the midst of this critical conversation, Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, voiced strong opposition to any potential delays, asserting that the current initiatives are yielding positive results and must continue without interruption. The coming days are pivotal as city officials weigh the implications of their decisions against the backdrop of urgency for equitable educational reform.