A big win for parent & student rights!

July 8, 2024

Just a quick message to let you know that in response to our legal challenge to their previous guidance, DOE sent revised instructions to principals last week, making it crystal clear that no students can be assigned to an online class without the prior written consent of their parents.

They reversed their guidance on this critical issue, even before our appeal to the Commissioner could be heard.

We are not withdrawing our complaint, however, as we want additional safeguards for students with disabilities including IEP meetings, and that parents should be able to withdraw their consent if their children are struggling in an online class. DOE should also be required to verify that students have adequate access to the internet and a laptop before assigning them to an online class at home.

But making clear that parental consent is required is already a substantial win for students and one to savor. It will also put a significant roadblock to the DOE’s heedless plan to rapidly expand online learning. More details are here, including excerpts from the recent DOE email and updated instructions to principals. Here is a gift link to a Daily News article about this reversal.

Please consider donating to Class Size Matters so we can continue fighting and winning battles like this one, to ensure a quality education is provided to NYC kids. As Tia Schellstede, one of our parent plaintiffs said about this latest victory,

“NYC parents will not accept the automation of our children’s education. Learning is a fundamentally human process. We are a community who cares about how policies affect our neighbors, and we work together to make sure that the city does not get away with breaking the law to deny vulnerable students of learning. We are vigilant and coordinated.”