Will Implement Innovative Plans
Five schools in central Queens have been selected to take part in the Department of Education’s (DOE) new Progressive Redesign Opportunity Schools for Excellence Program (PROSE), the school’s chancellor announced Monday, July 7.
Carmen Farina and United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Michael Mulgrew released the list of schools selected to participate during the upcoming school year, which include three in Long Island City, and one in Corona and Ridgewood.
The schools selected are: Academy for Careers in Television and Film, International High School, Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College, P.S. 71 Forest Elementary and Voyages Preparatory South Queens.
Of 102 schools that applied, only 72 were selected across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens. At 62 of those schools, teachers voted to approved the plan, according to DOE officials. No schools in Staten Island were voted to participate.
The application process began by schools explaining their proposals, describing why the school was appropriate for the program and how students would benefit. A combined UFT/DOE panel then reviewed all of the applications to ensure that they were in accordance with relevant state laws and procedures, according to DOE.
The new program aims to “allow schools to implement innovative plans,” a DOE statement said. “Staff from the participating schools created ideas for the programs features that include staggering the school day, changing contractually required student-to-teacher ratios and using portfolios of instructional strategies to rate teachers,” according to DOE.
“Real Change happens when educators are empowered to develop the best, tailored strategies to help their students succeed,” Farina said. At dozens of schools across the city, these educators have come forward with new, innovative practices that can serve as a guide for all of our school communities and brighten the classroom experience for every child.”
The program was established following the new contract between the city and the teacher’s union, DOE stated.
“I am so proud of the New York City public school system and all the schools that took part in the PROSE program,” Mulgrew said. “Innovations like this will move education forward not just in New York, but around the country. Teachers, principals, parents and the entire school community working together will truly advance education.”
