Incoming New York Chancellor Signals Middle School Focus

The AP (1/3, Peltz) reports that as she began her job on Thursday, New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina stressed “that middle schools would be an early focus of her tenure,” telling students “in a rather animated Bronx classroom that she likes it when learning makes some noise.” Noting that Farina will face significant challenges in supporting middle school education and backing Mayor Bill de Blasio’s pledges to improve parental engagement, the AP reports that Farina said that “improving students’ engagement in middle school...increases their chances of progressing to and graduating from high school.”