NEW YORK, N.Y. (Nov. 2, 2021)—Democrats for Education Reform New York (DFER NY) released the following statement congratulating Eric Adams on winning the 2021 New York City Mayoral Election. Adams will be the second Black mayor in the history of the nation’s largest city and will run the largest school district in the country.
“We congratulate Eric Adams on his resounding victory in the New York City mayoral election and look forward to working together with him and the chancellor he appoints to prioritize educational equity and a relentless commitment to results for the city’s more than 1.1 million public school students,” said DFER National President Shavar Jeffries.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred one of the greatest education challenges of our time, exacerbating already yawning opportunity gaps and risking generational harm for historically underserved students. This moment requires both a bold investment in resources and innovative approaches that will catalyze transformational change.
We are pleased that Adams’ vision for education acknowledges the critical need of the moment and includes new ideas for utilizing the lessons of remote learning to expand digital access and options for students. In a welcomed departure from his predecessor, Adams has made clear that he will support all high-quality public schools, seek more customized approaches to meeting students’ needs in and outside school, and expand rigorous curriculum for students of color and students from low-income communities.
To make bigger and bolder progress, we urge the Adams administration to ensure that these customized approaches are targeted, grounded in evidence-based strategies, and incorporate systemic changes to literacy instruction based on proven methods. We also encourage him to pursue pipeline programs to improve teacher preparation and diversify the teaching workforce, which we know have a tremendous impact on student achievement.
When it comes to our children’s futures we must act with urgency, and DFER NY is ready to be a resource and partner for Mayor Adams and his chancellor in building a brighter, more equitable future for every New York City student.”
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