New York City Council Committee on Education
Mayoral Control of NYC Public Schools
February 10, 2026

Thank you Chair Dinowitz and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify on mayoral control of New York City’s public schools. The Partnership for New York City mobilizes private sector resources and expertise to advance New York City’s standing as a global center of economic opportunity, upward mobility, and innovation. We are a nonprofit organization whose members are preeminent companies that support nearly one million jobs in New York City and deliver approximately $236 billion in economic output. 

The Partnership fully supports a multi-year reauthorization of mayoral control of the city’s schools. As employers who depend on the city’s schools to prepare students for college and careers, we have a stake in the system and believe that any dilution of mayoral control would jeopardize the progress made over the past two decades. 

Before mayoral control became law in 2022, the city’s school system was chaotic, inefficient, plagued by patronage, and highly politicized. We saw declines in educational quality and student performance for more than 40 years. The Partnership worked with the legislature to develop the plan for mayoral control and we continue to believe that it is the best system of governance. 

Data shows that mayoral control works. Since 2002 when mayoral control was implemented, the public high school graduation rate has increased from 50.8 percent to 78.4 percent overall, and from 38.8 percent to 74.9 percent for Black and Hispanic students. The number of students enrolled in college, a vocational program, or public service after graduating hit 76% in 2023, a post-pandemic high and 4 percentage points above 2007 levels. Dropout rates remain low, with the Class of 2025 having the third-lowest rate since 2012 at 5.3%. More students than ever are taking and passing Advanced Placement exams. English test scores are up in every district, with a citywide average test score performance increase of 15% compared to 2024 Grades 3-8 test results. Math test scores are up in 99% of districts, with a citywide average test score performance increase of 7% compared to 2024 Grades 3-8 test results. 

These improvements would not have been possible without the clarity of a system in which the mayor has defined authority over leadership, labor contracts, and budget. We urge the Council to support a full, multi-year extension of mayoral control and oppose any dilution of the authority or accountability of the mayor. 

Thank you.