NYC's Summer Rising Program: A $350 Million Flop?

NYC's Summer Rising Program: A $350 Million Flop?

New York City's Summer Rising program, a $350 million initiative aimed at addressing learning loss during the pandemic, is facing major attendance issues. Despite 110,000 students registering, only a fraction are showing up each day, leaving taxpayers wondering where the money is going.

Teachers and administrators report low attendance, with some teachers even being released due to the lack of students. One Queens middle school teacher reported having only four students out of 16 on his roster each day.

The program, which was initially funded by COVID-19 stimulus money, is now relying on taxpayer dollars after federal funds ran out. Experts warned against using one-time funding for a program that would require ongoing support, and the city is now facing the consequences of that decision.

The city's Department of Education insists that attendance is on par with last year, but they have not provided specific numbers. They also maintain that teachers will not be let go.

The program's struggles raise questions about its effectiveness and value for money. With the city facing budget constraints, the future of Summer Rising remains uncertain.

The program's design, which includes boring, hours-long exams and fewer field trips than originally promised, has been blamed for the low attendance. Teachers also point to inconsistencies between the different community-based organizations running the program.

Despite the program's challenges, the DOE remains optimistic and claims to be providing support to its staff and school leaders.