Accessible, Inclusive, Just Systems Co-Led with Young People Informed by Data
"We envision a New York City where all young people get the education they need to succeed and where young people’s contributions to our economy, communities and city are recognized and honored."
In our mission to attain equity in education in NYC, #DegreesNYC works to ensure that systems that impact young people are accessible, inclusive, and just. Ibram X. Kendi makes clear in his book How to Be An Anti-Racist, “There is no such thing as a nonracist or race neutral policy. Every policy in every institution in every community in every nation is producing or sustaining either racial inequity or equity between racial groups.” The following vision and attendant policy agenda lays out our broad approach to the transformation necessary to realize a fully racially equitable education system.
We envision a New York City, where all young people have sufficient food, stable housing, and reliable affordable transportation, where they have access to appropriate study spaces, computers, internet, academic support and mental health supports, where they have information and pathways that lead to and prepare them for higher education, employment, and active civic engagement.
We envision a New York City, where all young people feel they belong in school. They feel safe - emotionally and physically. They feel respected and celebrated. They feel their activities and contributions have meaning and that what they offer is valued. They see themselves reflected in the people in roles of authority and experience their concerns being taken seriously.
We envision a city where young people are invited to help lead and make decisions on the issues that affect them, where restorative justice and participatory decision-making practices are widespread, and where the government and the entire community invests in and is held accountable for educating and supporting young people equitably.
#DegreesNYC is a data-informed collective impact movement co-led by young people and education professionals to move to equity in education in NYC. #DegreesNYC aims to close NYC’s postsecondary attainment gaps by aligning college and career efforts around a shared vision with clear goals. By doing so, there will be a significant increase in the number of young adults completing higher education and entering living wage jobs in NYC.