The Call for Equity in Education in NYC

By Isabella Zumba

9/20/25

On September 18th, 2025, more than 1500 students, teachers, and parents marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to demand equitable funding for New York City’s charter schools. The protest called attention to a long-standing and urgent issue that has been overlooked for far too long: the persistent financial disparity between charter schools and traditional district schools in New York City. 

I recently became aware of this issue firsthand through a third grader I babysit who attends Success Academy, one of the city’s largest charter school networks. She mentioned that she had the day off from school for the protest, so that family, staff and students could participate in the rally. While she appreciated the day off from school, the situation revealed a deeper irony—students were losing valuable learning time solely because of the funding inequalities that their schools face. It is disheartening that children must sacrifice classroom hours to advocate for the basic resources they rightfully deserve. 

According to Leslie Bernard Joseph of KIPP NYC, "If you broke it down per kid, it's effectively $12,000 less per student for charter school students." This statistic sheds light on the profound inequality within New York City’s education system. Two children may live in the same neighborhood, yet one receives significantly fewer resources solely because of the governance structure of their school. The New York State Constitution states that the state must provide “a system of free common schools, wherein all the children of this state must be educated,” implying that every child should have equal access to educational opportunities at the state level. However, such disparities in funding contradict this fundamental belief, as students who attend charter schools often receive fewer resources solely because of their school’s governance structure. These inequities undermine the foundational principle that every child, regardless of school type, deserves access to an adequate and robust education and equal resources.  

This issue demands institutional reform and public awareness, and engagement. Charter schools, like traditional public schools, educate the next generation of leaders. Denying charter schools equitable funding for essential resources not only limits their students’ potential but also deepens educational inequality, further cementing a long-standing systemic issue that threatens to persist for generations to come. 

To address this injustice, policymakers must reevaluate New York City’s education budget to ensure that resources are distributed equitably across all schools. However, lasting change cannot rely on legislation alone—it also requires collective community effort. As New Yorkers, we can continue to raise awareness, participate in advocacy efforts, and amplify the voices of affected students and families. Through persistent and unified action, we can transform the call for change, making true educational equity a reality.

Sources:

• New York Constitution