Proof NYC's education leaders put kids last

May 4, 2026 - 09:54

New York City's education system is facing a quiet exodus. Minority families are increasingly leaving traditional Department of Education schools, and the reason is clear: these families are choosing public charter schools instead. At those charters, a focus on rigorous instruction has produced striking results. Poor black and Hispanic students are now outperforming their peers in district-run schools by a wide margin.

This trend is not a mystery. For years, the city's education leadership has prioritized adult interests over student achievement. They have protected failing schools, resisted accountability, and allowed political battles to distract from the classroom. Meanwhile, charter schools have stepped in with longer school days, higher expectations, and a no-excuses approach to learning. The data shows it works. Students who were once written off are now scoring higher on tests and graduating at higher rates.

The message from families is loud and clear. They are voting with their feet. When given a real choice, they pick schools that put their children first. The city's education leaders have no one to blame but themselves. By putting politics and bureaucracy ahead of students, they have driven away the very families they were supposed to serve. Until that changes, the exodus will only continue.