The future of progressive education relies heavily on collaboration between teachers, administrators, and school personnel who believe strongly in the power of the practice. In order to facilitate the sharing of ideas, best practices, and experiences among these individuals, the Progressive Education Network hosts national conferences and supports regional gatherings for progressive educators. This year, the 2015 PEN […]
Child Life faculty member Deb Vilas was invited to teach in the Czech Republic and Japan this summer. The invitations to teach abroad followed Deb’s appearance as a keynote speaker at the first Global Summit on Pediatric Psychosocial Care in May of 2014, hosted by the Child Life Council and sponsored by the Disney Corporation. Deb addressed […]
The Straus Center for Young Children and Families, a new research and policy center housed at Bank Street College of Education, will explore the core questions and concerns of educators and policymakers focused on improving the lives of young children and their families. To celebrate the Straus Center’s launch and to begin to chart a path ahead, […]
In New York City, economic divides often hinder a child’s access to quality education. These divides can lead to achievement gaps, which begin in young children’s earliest school years. But FirstStepNYC, a pioneering partnership between the Department of Education and SCO Family of Services, is taking a step toward closing these gaps with the creation of the Early […]
Dear Colleagues, Families, Students, Alumni, and Trustees, I hope you had a relaxing summer. I am excited to welcome you back as we launch the 2015-16 school year. As many of you know, the coming year marks Bank Street’s 100th anniversary and we will have several opportunities to celebrate, commemorate, and learn together to mark […]
The late Barbara Biber was a central figure in shaping Bank Street since its inception as the Bureau of Educational Experiments—but her impact as a researcher and scholar rippled outward, affecting change in the wider educational community. To memorialize her progressive legacy and to mark the beginning of the academic year, Bank Street Graduate School hosts the Barbara Biber Convocation each […]
A School for Children alum (’82), Miri Navasky has produced numerous groundbreaking documentaries with her co-producer Karen O’Connor for PBS FRONTLINE, the esteemed public affairs series. Many of her films have won awards including The Undertaking (2007) which won an Emmy Award for Best Arts and Cultural Documentary, The New Asylums (2005) won the Robert F. Kennedy Grand Prize Journalism Award and The Killer at Thurston High […]
Early intervention programs for children with disabilities are required under federal law. But the quality of these programs has dwindled in recent years as a result of funding cuts. In 2012, Bank Street lost its toddler-parent playgroups, which fostered two crucial components of early intervention—support for parents, and developmental growth and interaction for children. Recognizing […]
“Preparations have commenced for prekindergarten teachers to enter the second year of New York City’s Pre-K for All program, which aims to provide free, high-quality, full-day pre-K to every four-year-old across the five boroughs. This summer, Bank Street College of Education is providing professional development for the program in two areas essential to creating quality pre-K environments: Social […]
The 28th Infancy Institute took place at Bank Street College this past June under the coordination of Margie Brickley, Program Director of the Infant & Family Development and Early Intervention program. A gathering of infant and toddler professionals, the event featured a schedule of presentations and interactive workshops, as well as opportunities to visit a selection of early […]
Generosity is central to our work at the Family Center. Our classroom teachers are generous with their time, skills, information, and kindness. We try to parallel our teaching process with children with the way we are with each other. In being present and intentional, we become even more generous with our kindness, allowing our skills, energy, and […]
Research suggests that children who develop strong early math skills continue to perform well later on in school, not only in math but also in other areas of schooling. To further investigate this theory, social policy research organization MDRC teamed up with The Robin Hood Foundation to develop Making Pre-K Count, a research project based in 69 New York City public […]
Over the past several months, WNYC has produced a series of audio and video segments about what it’s like to be a 12-year-old, called “Being 12.” The installment that aired on July 8, focused on how 12-year-olds and their teachers grapple with the sometimes personal and difficult conversations associated with race and diversity. We are […]
In Brownsville, Brooklyn, nearly 40 percent of residents live below the poverty line. Crime and violence are commonplace in the neighborhood, which totals just over one square mile and consists mainly of public housing units. School systems in such communities can present a number of challenges for kids and educators alike, but Meghan Dunn, principal […]
For nearly two decades, Susan Ochshorn has worked at the local, state, and national levels to integrate early childhood research, policy, and practice into the larger education reform conversation. Her new book, Squandering America’s Future: Why ECE Policy Matters for Equality, Our Economy, and Our Children (Teachers College Press), explores the most significant issues in contemporary early […]
Tuesday, November 30 is Giving Tuesday! Thanks to a special matching gift challenge this year, your gift to Bank Street will double in value—dollar for dollar—up to $50,000. We appreciate your support of our enduring mission toward meaningful, high-quality education for all. Thank you!