Senator Montgomery welcomes Chancellor Richard A. Carranza to Albany and invites him to visit Old Boys High School to hear from students directly about the impact transfer programs have made on their lives

New York City Department of Education Chancellor Richard A. Carranza visits Albany for the first time and appears before the New York State Senate Education Committee.

Senator Montgomery thanked the Chancellor for his support of public education and reiterated her invitation for him to visit historic Old Boys High School. Senator Montgomery discussed the importance of transfer schools, the impact these programs are making on the lives of young people and the DOE policy of co-location.

Transfer schools serve youth that are over-age and under-credited, most of whom attended other high schools for several years. The very nature of their student population makes this requirement all but impossible for them to meet in spite of their many successes. These schools provide instruction that is rigorous but specialized, career development and college preparation and often provide comprehensive social services that address some of the underlying challenges faced by their students. They show those who may have fallen off track that they can succeed and go on to do great things and every effort should be made to support schools that do this vital work.

During the Education Committee meeting, Senator Montgomery raised the issue of co-location:

It is very difficult to work with the [DOE] based on the best interests of the young people/children versus how many square feet are 'available' in a building. The young people [at Old Boys High School] finally find a home where they're thriving. Then there is an issue of co-location which threatens to disrupt their environment, their sense of security and their ability to progress. 

I would really appreciate having you come visit us and let them tell you what that environment means to them. To meet those young people in the transfer programs so that you can see the value and hopefully can help us figure out how to secure these programs.

Senator Montgomery also extended an invitation for the Chancellor to visit the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The Brooklyn Navy Yard is the home to innovative STEAM programming and educational collaborations that are making a tremendous difference in the lives of students.

For more information about Senator Montgomery's work involvement with historic Old Boys High School, visit:

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomery-and-assemblywoman-wright-request

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/call-action-save-old-boys-high

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/velmanette-montgomery/old-boys-high-parents-teachers-and-students-rally

To learn more about Senator Montgomery's work with transfer schools, visit:

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomery-and-colleagues-fight-nyc-transfer-high

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/nys-education-department-revises-transfer-high-school

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/good-shepherd-services-presents-senator-montgomery-award-her

To learn more about historic Old Boys High School, visit:

www.bkreader.com/2018/04/doe-approves-mergers-relocations-multiple-brooklyn-schools-amid-pushbacks/

http://www.ourtimepress.com/a-ged-program-to-be-cut-in-half-so-charter-school-can-expand/

To view the full Senate Education Committee meeting, visit: