Coalition of Education Leaders Urge NYC Mayoral Candidates to Double Down on NYC Reads and NYC Solves

April 2, 2025 (New York, NY)– As the New York City mayoral primary gains momentum, a coalition of leading education advocacy groups issued a letter this morning, urging all declared and prospective candidates to publicly commit to sustaining and strengthening NYC Reads and NYC Solves—two flagship citywide initiatives designed to address systemic inequities in literacy and math. Endorsed by more than a dozen education leaders from across the city and state, the coalition warns any move to abandon or underfund these programs would jeopardize hard-won progress and leave vulnerable students even further behind.

“This is a critical moment for the next Mayor of New York City,” said Marielys Divanne, Executive Director of Educators for Excellence–New York (E4E–NY). “NYC Reads and NYC Solves are more than just good policy—they’re a bold rejection of federal backsliding and a blueprint for advancing student success right here in New York. We’re urging every candidate to step up, show leadership, and pledge to build on this progress—not walk away from it.”

The letter stresses that stark inequities in student achievement were endemic before the initiatives were launched, with two-thirds of NYC Black and Latino students below grade level in reading and math. A longstanding lack of consistency across schools also created significant challenges, particularly for students experiencing temporary housing or school disruptions. 

NYC Reads and NYC Solves represent research-backed solutions that mirror successful statewide efforts in Mississippi, Tennessee, and North Carolina. In those states, sustained investments in high-quality curriculum and aligned professional learning over multiple years led to measurable improvements in student achievement. Advocates emphasize that the full impact of these curriculum shifts takes time to materialize—and urge future mayoral administrations to stay the course to deliver lasting results for New York City students.

“Let’s be clear—this is not the time to hit the brakes,” said Arlen Benjamin-Gomez, Executive Director of EdTrust–New York. “If anything, we need to accelerate the work. These programs are already showing early promise, and we must give them the time, resources, and political support they need to fully succeed.”

The letter outlines three key commitments candidates should make:

• Stay the Course: Continue full implementation of NYC Reads and NYC Solves.
• Double Down: Invest in multi-year budgets for professional learning, resources, and educator support.
• Engage Stakeholders: Prioritize collaboration with teachers, families, and community leaders to ensure transparency and continuous improvement.

E4E–NY’s recent report, Reading Between the Lines, shows educators are beginning to see a positive shift. Teachers with more experience using the new curricula report increased confidence—evidence that the programs are working as intended.

“Silence is not neutrality,” said Divanne. “It’s a choice. Any candidate serious about educational equity must make their support for NYC Reads and NYC Solves clear—today.”

The full letter, including all signatories, is available here.

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About Educators for Excellence

Founded by public school teachers, Educators for Excellence is a growing movement of more than 37,000 educators, united around a common set of values and principles for improving student learning and elevating the teaching profession. We work together to identify issues that impact our schools, create solutions to these challenges, and advocate for policies and programs that give all students access to a quality education.