Michael Elsen-Rooney

Michael Elsen-Rooney

Reporter, Chalkbeat New York

Mike Elsen-Rooney writes about New York City public schools. Before joining Chalkbeat, he covered education for the New York Daily News, Columbia Journalism School’s Teacher Project and The Hechinger Report. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, USA Today, and The Boston Globe Magazine. Mike started his career as a high school Spanish teacher and afterschool program coordinator in the Washington DC area.

NYC is trying to convince thousands of private school families to waive their legal rights. Here’s what legal advocates say they should consider before signing.

The extension came hours before applications were set to close for the city’s eighth graders, who rank 12 or more top choices from an array of over 400 schools.

Multiple coaches and athletic directors told Chalkbeat the sudden tightening of enforcement feels arbitrary and overly punitive – and it will end up harming kids.

The shortage is causing students to miss out on behavior support, vocational training, and it's even preventing some students from getting to school.

It's not yet clear who will replace interim principal Johnny Ventura, or when.

The numbers mark the second straight year that enrollment declines have flattened out, a welcome development for the city’s public school system.

Since taking office in 2022, the Brooklyn council member and former teacher has visited nearly 100 schools across the five boroughs.

Four years after New York City overhauled its summer program to blend academics and recreation, lawmakers want to know if it’s working.