2022-23 School Performance Dashboard, Mark Twain I.S. 239
As a “gifted and talented” school, Mark Twain accepts applicants from all over the city.
K-12 organizing
Interview with Thomas Samuels
Transcript: At school, when we interacted, initially, signing was not allowed, that we’d be punished if we used signing.
Rev. Malika Leigh Whitney and Double Dutch Dreamz
When she was growing up in Harlem in the 1940s, Reverend Malika Leigh Whitney played a lot of street games, like hopscotch, jacks, stick ball, and stoop ball.
Mo’ Charters Mo’ Problems
The historical documents found on this website are primary sources: historical records produced in one moment in time, that help us understand that moment in time.
Inside “The Founders”: Joel Klein (excerpt)
In 2002, the New York State Legislature gave the mayor’s office control of New York City’s public schools.
Interview with Jitu Weusi on Mayoral Control of New York City Schools (excerpt)
Jitu Weusi, born and raised in Brooklyn and originally named Leslie Campbell, was an educator and educational activist.
Mayor Bloomberg Remarks on Education Reform (excerpt)
At the 2012 United States Conference of Mayors, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg reflected on the first ten years of mayoral control in New York City’s schools.
Evelina López Antonetty Mural
This mural of Evelina López Antonetty was painted by graffiti artist group Tats Cru in 2011.
Judy Heumann Oral History
Judith (Judy) Heumann was one of tens of thousands of children who contracted polio during outbreaks in the late 1940s and early 1950s and became physically disabled.
The State of the City (excerpt)
We must fix our school system. You and I represent all the neighborhoods of this city.
The Man Who Could Fly: The Bob Beamon Story, excerpt
Mr. Louis Schuker, the principal at Jamaica High, had a long talk with me and Coach Ellis.
New York Hotline: Special Ed #304, excerpt 1
Among New York City students with disability labels today, most are in the category of “learning disability.
New York Hotline: Special Ed #304, excerpt 2
Disabled students have always attended New York City schools, whether they were identified as disabled or not.
Deaf Students Protest New School Head
Gallaudet University in Washington, DC was one of the earliest US schools for the Deaf and the world’s only university for the Deaf and hard of hearing.
Puerto Ricans (Spoken Version)
Puerto Ricans became citizens of the United States in 1917, as part of the US’s claiming control of the island.
Focus on Learning, excerpt
Please note: This is work in progress. Please keep that in mind as you read.
La Escuela Bilingüe Número 25 del Distrito Escolar 7
Please note: This is work in progress. Please keep that in mind as you read.
History of Double Dutch
Two Black Harlem police officers, Mike Walker and Ulysses Williams, founded the first Annual World International Double Dutch competition in 1974.
New York Kids Jump for Prizes in Double Dutch Tourney
The Eighth Annual World International Double Dutch competition took place at Lincoln Center in 1981.
Double Dutch, sculpture by John Ahearn, Intervale Ave. and Kelly St.
In the 1970s and 1980s in New York City, many Black and Latinx neighborhoods were impoverished and their residents were struggling.