For the second year in a row, children have been placed on waitlists for kindergarten placement. Over 112 public schools have waitlists, with over 2,000 children left without placement and parents worried their four- and five-year-olds will be sent to schools far from home. One parent told the NY Times, "I am trying to find out what I am supposed to do and what our options are, but I really feel helpless." more ›

There's not one, not two, but FOUR relatively negative stories about the Department of Education today. The Daily News reports that more than a third of public school students are in overcrowded classrooms; a report says 167,000 new seats are needed, but the city is only planning on 63,000 more. The News' Juan Gonzalez also finds that the DOE spends $5 million on couriers--double what was spent in 2002--mostly due to the couriering of tests. The NY Times finds that even the DOE tried to make gifted programs more accessible, a new policy resulted in half as many gifted students--"with 28 schools lacking enough students to open planned gifted classes, and 13 others proceeding with fewer than a dozen children." Finally, the Columbia Spectator wonders where promised arts programs for schools are. Remember--reforming the public school system is a major part of Mayor Bloomberg's platform. more ›

Concerns about school overcrowding dovetailed into condominium construction plans at 331 East 91st Street, where a crane collapse this morning left at least one person dead. more ›

There's a great NY Times article about the overcrowding at Richmond High School in Queens. The building was meant for 1,800 students, but 3,600 students attend the school. How is that possible? Well, there are 22 trailers "encased within chain-link fencing, occupy the school’s former yard, evoking the ambience of the Port Elizabeth container-ship terminal." Ha! more ›