New York Appleseed’s Statement on the New York City Racial Equity Plan
9.3.26 at 2:00 PM- “By 2034, increasing the number of integrated NYC public schools with sufficient and stable enrollment, equitable access to academic programs and services, and culturally responsive and adaptive leadership.” - The New York City Racial Equity Plan
New York Appleseed is relieved to see a new long-term goal and prioritization toward truly integrated schools in the recently released New York City Racial Equity Plan. We are encouraged that NYC listened to feedback on the draft plan, which originally had little to no mention of the impact of school segregation and the need to meaningfully address these disparities by creating truly integrated schools and communities. This new version charts a North Star for NYC Public Schools to follow through 2034.
It's worth remembering, however, that NYC has set diversity goals before that oftentimes waver over the years and across administrations. Some examples include the 2017 NYCPS Diversity Statement, the 2019 goals from the School Diversity Advisory Group, and, long before that, the 1956 Commission on Integration recommendations to integrate schools post-Brown. None of these efforts were purely in vain; each has had influence and engaged civil rights leaders who are part of the fabric of the integration movement in NYC. This new 2034 goal is a re-commitment to that work.
Appleseed has always maintained that advancing integration requires leadership with the political will and moral fortitude to see it through, and we look forward to holding this administration to their new racial equity goals.
