Mayor de Blasio, who understood the deficiencies in the current system, realized he was facing a new state mandate and entered into last-minute negotiations with Speaker Silver. With the legislature ready to recess for the summer and the new school year just around the corner, it was paramount that – either through legislation or through NYC DOE policy changes –something be done immediately to facilitate implementation by the beginning of the school year in September.
The result is a monumental and truly groundbreaking shift toward equitable and efficient treatment of our most vulnerable children. These changes would not have taken place, however, without the combined efforts of the state legislature and the parents and advocates who wanted to right the wrongs of a dysfunctional system.
We thank Speaker Silver for his leadership on this issue and appreciate Mayor de Blasio’s recognition of the untenable situation and his commitment to change it.
The announcement at City Hall was not the product of a single individual. It was a true lesson in cooperative government combined with passionate and persistent advocacy that was unwavering despite all the obstacles placed in its way. This success disproves the notion that advocacy combined with government only benefits special interests. The partnership and teamwork brought to bear on this issue should be used as a model for future collaboration between advocacy groups, individuals, and our elected officials.
As we look to ensure this agreement’s fair and fast implementation, we can at least say this to children and parents: The horror is over. Your daily lives will be better.