UPDATE: Moving toward admissions equity and culture change at Manhattan’s Beacon High School

UPDATE: Moving toward admissions equity and culture change at Manhattan’s Beacon High School

Author: Ethical Schools January 21, 2021 Duration: 1:02:23

We speak with Beacon PTA members Toni Smith-Thompson and Robin Broshi about NYC’s new requirements and the school’s proposed admission plan. Then we listen back to last June’s interview with activist students from the Beacon Union of Unions.

Overview

00:00-00:53 Intros

00:53-05:37 What has happened with admissions in NYC and at Beacon since last school year

05:37-15:45 Current status at Beacon; plans for admissions for 2021-22 school year

15:45-18:49 Stakeholder consensus

18:48-19:31 School Leadership Team

19:31-23:00 Need for school culture changes beyond admissions

23:00-23:23 TRANSITION TO ENCORE INTERVIEW WITH BUU STUDENTS

23:23-23:56 Intros

23:56-29:03 Students’ experiences at Beacon

29:03-35:52 Student demands

35:52-38:22 Anti-racist curriculum

38:22-39:33 Teens Take Charge

39:33-41:35 What teachers need to do in making change

41:35-44:42 First Beacon demonstration in Fall 2019

44:42-50:35 December incident, response planning, and sit-in

50:35-54:10 Sit-in’s impact on relationships among students and with teachers

54:10-56:31 Sources of support for students’ June demands to administration

56:31-57:14 Administration’s response

57:14-59:23 Talkin...


Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 240

Ethical Schools
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