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Superintendent: District 28 posts attendance gains, class-size funding for new teachers; dyslexia screening info expected
Summary
Superintendent and district staff updated the CEC on improved attendance, allocations for 90 new teachers and four assistant principals, state testing, and said citywide guidance on dyslexia screening is forthcoming.
District 28 officials reported steady attendance and fresh funding for class-size reduction at the CEC meeting, and district staff said citywide guidance on dyslexia screening will be released soon.
Superintendent Dr. Blake said the district is prioritizing four goals: literacy proficiency, math proficiency, reducing chronic absenteeism and increasing parent engagement. He reported that districtwide attendance recently was 92.4%, with a district target of raising overall attendance from 90.7% to 92.7% by June 2025. He noted that the district averages 91% student attendance across 35 schools and that attendance among students experiencing housing insecurity is 89%.
Dr. Blake said District 28 has received class-size funding allocations that will fund 90 new teachers and four assistant principals across the district’s approved schools. He described the statewide class-size mandate targets — K–3 no more than 20 students; grades 4–8 no more than 23; high school no more than 25 — and said the state’s phased approach requires implementation over time.
District staff also reviewed testing and admissions timelines: a New York State mathematics assessment for grades 3–5 is underway, and the admissions timeline for summer programs includes a results posting around April 24 and an acceptance deadline listed in central materials as May 8.
On dyslexia screening, Jean Hahn and other council members urged more transparent local data and action after noting parents’ concerns. Dr. Hall (district staff) said that district leaders and the mayor’s office recently held a press conference and that “there is forthcoming information around dyslexia screening for all students in the city.” The district said it will share details when the central office issues its release.
Council members discussed class-size advocacy steps, including recent meetings with the borough office and with Speaker Adrienne Adams’ office to raise capacity issues. CEC members said they will prepare questions for the School Construction Authority and push for facilities strategies to meet classroom targets.
