Jeffrey Rehm of Runway Green testifies on civic learning at Floyd Bennett Field

Hi, everybody.

Thank you, chairs and committee members.

I'm Jeffrey Rehm, executive director of Runway Green, a Brooklyn nonprofit expanding real-world learning for New York City students, proud former public school teacher and leader of a couple of New York City outward-bound schools, which have gotten some shout-outs today.

At a time of deep division and uncertainty, young people need opportunities to examine evidence, engage across differences, and see that their participation matters.

We strongly support these resolutions.

And through New York Inspires and the Portrait of a Graduate, New York is now reconsidering what counts as learning.

How students demonstrate it, and what a diploma signifies.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvest in education's purpose, which is to build a better world.

When done well, the Seal of Civic Readiness puts this purpose into practice.

Strong implementation, broad access, and college credit could make it a model.

For the learning that New York inspires is meant to bring to life.

Runway Green is working toward that vision with a signed 60-year National Park Service lease.

We're developing an education campus at Floyd Bennett Field that could serve up to 50,000 students every single year from New York City public schools.

Student pilots are underway with programs in development with New York City Public Schools, with CUNY, and with community partners.

I want to paint a picture of what this might look like.

Imagine students along the shores of Jamaica Bay, wind pulling at their jackets as they investigate coastal flooding.

They collect water level data, hear residents'accounts of storms, weigh policy options, and present recommendations to local decision makers.

This work connects classroom learning to public problems, shows students their power to influence their communities, and creates opportunities for high school and college credit.

We urge the council to adopt all three resolutions and support educator preparation and community partnership aligned with New York Inspires so students across the city can participate in rigorous civic learning and receive meaningful recognition for it.

Thank you so much.

Appreciate it.

I don't want to take long, but before I go, I'll stay here to listen because this is such a great, awesome plan.

We've been going through it.

So I want to say publicly, I am so thankful for you.

And I know why we become besties, because of our children, the future agriculture environment.

And it's such a thing that we have to cross that.

We have to walk that line, making sure that our children have a better tomorrow and understand what is environment like and what is agriculture like.

And thank you for your leadership.

I just want to say thank you.