The bigger picture: High school improvement in the Bronx

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. 

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