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District 28 superintendent outlines testing window, 'academic sprint' and student-protection guidance
Summary
Superintendent Blake told the Community Education Council for District 28 that spring testing, an "academic sprint" for at‑risk students, and an attendance goal are priorities; he reiterated school procedures for handling law‑enforcement requests for student information.
Superintendent Dwight Blake told the Community Education Council (CEC) for New York City Geographic District #28 on April 3 that the district is focused on testing readiness, raising attendance and protecting students from improper law‑enforcement intrusions.
Blake said District 28 will run an "academic sprint" of targeted supports for students who are near proficiency, and urged families to use after‑school and school‑based academies. He outlined the state testing window for ELA and math and said most District 28 schools will use computer‑based testing April 22–May 2; he also asked parents to help reduce chronic absenteeism so students can benefit from instruction.
The superintendent gave numbers and goals to frame the effort: he said the district’s baseline attendance was 90.4 percent and stated a target of increasing districtwide attendance to 92.7 percent by June 2025. He said District 28 includes 36 sites ("1 pre‑K center, 8 middle schools and 27 elementary schools," as stated at the meeting) and noted the district was above a cited city average during the previous reporting period.
Blake also reviewed school procedures for handling law‑enforcement actions: "New York City public schools must honor valid judicial warrants, court orders, subpoenas," he said, and school officials should show those documents to a senior field counsel before acting. He told the council school safety staff should alert the principal and ask officers to wait outside, and that school staff should not provide student or family information without the required legal paperwork.
Other items Blake announced included a District 28 debate tournament and expansion of teacher centers; he also invited families to District 28’s teacher‑recruitment "iron fair" on April 8 at York College.
Blake framed the sweeping set of activities as part of a single goal: improving outcomes for students by boosting instruction, attendance and family engagement.
The superintendent delivered the report during the regular agenda item for his report and answered follow‑up questions from CEC members and district staff.
