Part I of the conversation between Daniel Alicea, Kaliris Salas-Ramirez and Leonie Haimson about the biggest NYC education news that dropped over the summer, and what they expect from the school year to come.
NYC paraprofessionals’ $10,000 pay bump becomes law as City Hall vows a legal challenge; https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2026/08/19/nyc-paraprofessionals-10000-pay-bump-law-mamdani/
Why is Mamdani suing the City Council?; https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2026/08/why-mamdani-suing-city-council/415581
NYC student scores plunge with only half reading at grade level; https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/08/07/nyc-students-reading-scores-plunge-half-read-grade-level/?share=eedhinttstdnnercp0nn
Rift widens between City Hall and teachers union as UFT threatens literacy curriculum pushback; https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2026/08/12/teachers-unionuft-nyc-reads-curriculum-support-mulgrew/
Chancellor will ‘double down’ on NYC Reads despite failing test scores; https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/08/13/chancellor-will-double-down-on-nyc-reads-despite-failing-test-scores/
Mayor Mamdani and Chancellor Samuels Announce Expansion of NYC Solves and NYC Reads; https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/05/mayor-mamdani-and-chancellor-samuelsannounce-expansion-of-nyc-so