Samuels has steadily worked his way up in the Education Department over 20 years, earning a reputation as a leader who seeks consensus on tough issues including school integration and mergers.
Federal officials argue New York City’s policy allowing transgender athletes to play on sports teams that match their gender identity violates prohibitions on sex discrimination.
State education officials questioned whether the move is legal — though they have limited power to block it.
In exclusive interviews, Chalkbeat spoke with Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Chancellor Kamar Samuels about their plans for the nation’s largest school system.
NYC schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels told principals he plans to stick with Mayor Eric Adams’ reading curriculum overhaul.
In his first letter to Education Department staff, Samuels emphasized culturally responsive teaching, school integration, and community input in his decision-making.
Samuels led on school integration and a previous effort to scale back gifted programs, initiatives Mamdani wants to revive.
How should Zohran Mamdani improve the school system? We asked educators, parents, students, and experts for their big ideas.
We asked educators, families, students, and experts for big ideas about how Zohran Mamdani could improve the school system.
The bills come after a Chalkbeat investigation found that NYC schools routinely ignore rules that are supposed to protect students with disabilities from lengthy suspensions.