Councilmember Zhuang on education access for all bill package

Thank you, Chair.

I'm here today asking for your support for my education access for all bill package, Intro 684 and Intro 853.

I'm proud to put forward this pair of bills that together we would go a long way towards expanding education access for all students.

Every child deserves the education that meets them where they are and help them grow.

But like everything else in this city, children in outer boroughs have less access to specialized programs than others.

Children from lower income families have less access.

And the children for whom English is a second language have less access too.

I believe that all students deserve access to education programs that meet their needs.

And no student should be limited due to where they live,

What's their parents'income or language they speak at home?

Both of these bills ask the city to do a study how language access needs, income, and the geographic location affect access to education.

Intro 684 is focused on access to gifted and talented program, while Intro...

853 is about access to special education program.

Gaps in access affects both type of specialized education.

For example, it's sadly well known not enough black and brown students in specialized high schools.

But how can we, how can brilliant

Black and brown students have the same chance to get in when their elementary and junior high school do not have gifted and talented program that other students have.

We are denying black and brown students opportunities and that must be end.

We should not

be thinking about eliminating those programs.

We should be expanding them so every child who can benefit from them can get into one.

We need to create more opportunity, not less opportunity.

As another example, it's also sadly well known, some children in outer boroughs need to travel a long bus ride to get to the school, offer the special education they need.

It's extremely burden for both students and their parents, especially in the bad weather.

I still remember their parents call my office in the snow day.

The school is open.

They have to travel.

The kids have to travel more than two hours to get into school and spend one hour, two hours later, and the school have to end early and travel another two hours to get home.

Parents, those first language is not English also struggle to learn about opportunities available to their children and how to get their children into those programs.

These are only a few examples.

We ask you to join us in supporting both of these bills and those issues and other gaps.

And I also want to thank all of you who have already co-sponsored and advocates came to testify and rallied with me today.

Thank you.