New York City’s public schools continue to face big changes and challenges this year, from integrating a large number of new migrant students to dealing with global tensions, with little consensus on solutions. Yet one thing unites us: the importance of ensuring every child can read and do math at grade level. This foundation in learning sets them up for success in high school, college, and their future careers.
Unfortunately, too many New York City parents may be under the mistaken impression that their children are on track academically. According to a poll from the national nonprofit, Learning Heroes, nearly nine in 10 New York City parents believe their child is reading and doing math at or above grade level—yet only half actually are.
This disconnect is in large part due to an overreliance on grades as 80% of parents report their child receives mostly B’s or better. While grades are important, they are one piece of a larger picture. Grades typically reflect more than just skills development and mastery. They also include attendance, participation, and effort. Without a clear and full picture of their progress in math and reading, kids may not get the support they need.
That’s why InsideSchools has joined Learning Heroes for “Go Beyond Grades,” a campaign to raise awareness about these disparities and empower parents and guardians to take action. With a comprehensive website with free resources, tools, and videos in English and Spanish, we aim to equip families with the information they want and need. Parents don’t have to be math or reading experts to advocate for their children. They can start by asking the teacher about what and how their child is achieving, whether they are on grade level, and ways to support learning at home.
It’s also crucial for parents to understand their child’s reading progress due to changes in reading instruction. As discussed in our spring webinar, Reading Reform in NYC: Teaching Kids, Empowering Parents, Supporting Teachers, all elementary schools are in the process of implementing new evidence-based reading curricula. Effectiveness with a new reading program will vary due to the teacher’s experience and the quality of training they receive.
Parents can enroll their kids in free quality summer programs that offer a mix of fun activities and academic instruction or enrichment. Families can search our list of free programs and filter by grade level, subject and address. While some programs may be full, public libraries across the city host a wide range of drop-in activities, from story times and chess, to zine-making and hands-on STEAM projects.
New York City is increasingly promoting math, literacy and life skills where kids are—in parks, on playgrounds, and even in local business. New “Reading Hubs” offer book areas in barbershops and other spots in communities across the city. NYC Parks hosts Kids in Motion on playgrounds, where parks staff lead sports, games, fitness demos, board games, and water games. Informal learning, such as exploring a museum, can also be valuable for a child’s development. Parents can make a list of places to see this summer: American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan; the Bronx Zoo; Liberty Science Center across the Hudson in New Jersey; the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn’s Coney Island, or the Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens. Find details and free entry days at NYC-ARTS.
There are also resources to encourage learning at home. The InsideSchools Parents’ Guide to Math and Science offers advice on boosting skills for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. Families can play with blocks, puzzles, and board games to improve vocabulary and math skills, introducing words like “between,” “under,” “shorter,” “longer” that help little kids grasp spatial relations and problem-solving. New York City Public Schools provide families with literacy and math activities for all ages on their website. Another Go Beyond Grades partner, Understood, offers parent-friendly tools to support children with learning differences.
It’s important that every NYC parent has a clear understanding of where their child excels and where they need additional support. Let’s come together as a community to tackle something we can all agree on—making sure our kids are learning and on grade level.
Natasha Quiroga is Director of Education Policy and InsideSchools at the New School’s Center for New York City Affairs.