BP MARKOWITZ STATEMENT ON PRE-K ADMISSIONS

I have been distressed to hear of possible problems with the prekindergarten admissions process this year. My office has received many reports of children in Brooklyn and elsewhere who have apparently been denied entry to pre-k programs, despite meeting the Department of Education’s criteria for top priority in admissions. We have also heard of cases in which children zoned for a school were rejected, while children out of zone were accepted. The problem is clearly broader than just a few parents who made mistakes on applications.

This year, for the first time, pre-k admissions and middle school admissions joined high school admissions in being centralized citywide. Unfortunately, without enough staff to handle the load, the pre-k applications were outsourced to a company in Pennsylvania. It appears that company was not up to the task. We now have what seems to be a perfect storm in which the enrollment office is handling pre-k notifications, middle school notifications, and high school appeals all at the same time.

However, until we know how many children were erroneously denied pre-k seats, it would be irresponsible for schools to register students. Therefore, I call upon the DOE to determine the full scope of this problem before continuing pre-k registration. Presumably, in addition to those who have questioned the process, there are parents who have not filed a complaint with the Department of Education or with any elected official because they do not realize they have a right to question their child’s rejection. The DOE must re-examine ALL applications, to ensure that its own priority system has been followed in every case.

The first step toward resolving the situation is getting good information, and I’m sure the DOE joins me in seeking this information from as many sources as possible. I am asking my Community Education Council appointees to help me determine the extent of the problem in Brooklyn. I ask that they survey their district schools and let me know where any potential problems lie.

The first year of school should be a time of joy and wonder. Let’s work together to help our children and families move past this confusion and into the beginning of a satisfying school experience.