We speak with Grace Alli Brandstein, an improvement and instructional coach with the New York City Department of Education. Ms. Brandstein works with Bronx high schools that the State has designated as needing support. This is part one of a two part interview. Today, we discuss challenges teachers and students at these schools face, and their everyday achievements. Ms. Brandstein talks about the impacts, both positive and negative, of being rated as needing improvement, especially the pressure it puts administrators, teachers, and students. Next week, Ms. Brandstein talks about abolitionist education.
Overview
00:00-01:10 Intros
00:10-02:37 State Ed criteria for schools being in need of “Support and Improvement”
02:37-04:03 Ethical issues of categorization
04:03-10:13 The Renewal Program successes and weaknesses
10:13-13:48 Impacts on students and teachers of being on State lists
13:48-17:31 Effects of pandemic freeze on standardized testing
17:31-19:50 Alternatives to high-stakes testing
19:50-24:23 ELA Regents and English Learners
24:23-26:54 Other obstacles students face
26:54-29:54 Teacher turnover
29:54-32:43 Keeping experienced teachers
32:43-35:51 Parking; resources
35:51-38:08 Principal turnover
38:08-40:31 Outro
Transcript
Click here to see the full transcript of this interview.
Credits
Soundtrack by Poddington Bear
Photo from Greenhouse Schools by TNTP (2012)