Kaushik Das CEC District 2 Candidate Statement:

My name is Kaushik Das and I have two daughters in public school. My older daughter has been at her zoned school PS276, at a charter school, and at PS 33 which offers a district Gifted & Talented program. This has given me unique insight into what works well and what doesn't among various education systems within our public schools. 

I have frequently volunteered at my daughters' schools but became more formally involved at PS33, initially to help raise funds for their annual spring event and auction. I later joined PS33's School Leadership Team (SLT), where I served for nearly 2 years, most of that time as co-chair.  As co-chair, I helped enact significant changes to the school's grading policy on multiple occasions and worked with its teachers, principal, and other parents to modify its Comprehensive Education Plan to enhance intervention and improve learning outcomes for specific minority, socioeconomic, and ELL student groups.  Over the summer and fall, I was an active member of the school's reopening committee.  Through it all, I strengthened cooperation and communication between the SLT, school administration, the PTA, CEC members, and the district's superintendent's office. 

I am passionate about education and have been incredibly vocal in my advocacy.  In the past year, I have attended and spoken at every single District 2 CEC Calendar meeting, nearly every Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) meeting, many Chancellor's Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) meetings, and the occasional City Council Educational Hearing.  I was profoundly disappointed at the lack of meaningful engagement by the DOE with regard to admissions and grading policies.  The majority of District 2, Manhattan, and New York City parents were outspoken in DOE "town halls" to maintain admissions standards to academically rigorous middle schools, but the DOE disregarded you.  District 2 families had no voice in the decision to remove District and Borough priority for high school admissions when there are already not enough high school seats for our district's 8th graders.  It is my belief that the majority of District 2 parents (let alone Manhattan or NYC as a whole) do not approve of such actions, but are afraid to speak up against the loud but well-organized minority.  I will be your voice.  

As the father of half-Indian, half-Hispanic daughters, I believe in striving for diversity in our schools while maintaining academic standards.  I do not believe equity is served nor any minority group empowered by tearing down merit-based programs. I do not believe that attempts to diversify our schools can be successful without simultaneously addressing systemic issues like housing and wage inequality.  I do not believe in divisive rhetoric that inherently pits racial groups against each other.  I believe in expanding opportunities and special needs for all, whether those needs be G&T, ELL, IEP, physical disability, or just a solid education at your local school.  

I find it embarrassing that our nation’s education system routinely ranks poorly against other countries, and New York State and NYC DOE are no gems within the US either.  Meanwhile, New York City spends more per student than any other city in the US.  Frankly, as parents and taxpayers we deserve better.  And as parents and parent leaders we deserve to be heard by the DOE, a claim they frequently make but do not deliver.  I will do my utmost to get your voices heard and get your children the education that they deserve.