Mayoral Candidate Bill Thompson outlined his vision for the future of New York City public schools on May 15 at New York University where he discussed his plan to focus more on early- childhood education.

Mayoral Candidate Bill Thompson discussing vision to improve New York City public schools.

Thompson, who attended Brooklyn public schools, stated that parents feel disconnected with the school system, teachers feel deaminized, and classrooms have become test prep centers, while several schools throughout the city continue to close. He discussed that higher quality education throughout New York City would inspire teachers, parents, and students.

Thompson’s vision included focusing on early childhood education and delivering comprehensive services to students ages five and under. He stated that the number five is critical when it comes to keeping students on track.

“The way a five year old behaves, how he or she acts in the classroom, how he or she plays with other children, how they respond to teachers, is a tremendous predictor of education success down the road,” said Thompson. “Yet according to a national survey of kindergarten teachers, only two in five children are academically prepared for school.”

Thompson’s initiative for early-childhood education would allow children to be successful as they go through kindergarten. He believes that working closely with families in understanding the comprehensive supports that students need would lead to success early on. The initiative would also help families and teachers identify which children require additional help and make sure the help is provided.

“Every parent, even experienced parents can learn,” said Thompson. “We’ll focus on making sure children have the support system they need from the family, if possible, but from the school and community if not.”

Thompson stated that children attending pre-k are more likely to have savings accounts, own their own home, and are more likely to earn higher salaries.

He discussed that NYC public schools need a system, starting from pre-k, that ensures students are not repeating the same material they have already learned. Thompson hopes to ensure that each lesson and each year builds on the last.  He believes that schools closing throughout NYC is an “admission to failure,” and hopes to prevent closures by imposing the new comprehensive system, if elected Mayor.

“Together, this comprehensive connected approach will help make sure we start kids off on the right track and keep them there,” said Thompson.

Thompson also discussed his plan to lengthen school hours and the school year in an effort to enhance learning and create more time for students and teachers to work together. He also plans to create a grant system that would reward schools that are doing well with preparing students for college.

When asked how he plans to pay for the educational improvement of NYC schools, Thompson stated that bringing back in dollars that were contracted out of the public school system would result in the dollars needed to create longer school days, grants, and other services.