Introduction to the Meeting
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has met with Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos in what could amount to a job interview with high stakes for the city’s students, parents and schools. Mamdani, while discussing the recruitment of new teachers earlier, told reporters, “I think she has been doing a good job.” He more recently spoke positively about her work without indicating his intentions or any decision.
The Meeting and Its Implications
“I have met with Chancellor Ramos. I have appreciated the work that she has done,” he told Spectrum News NY1 recently. “And like everyone within the Adams administration, I’ll assess her and everyone else based on the work they’ve done.” Aviles-Ramos, who took the helm in October 2024, succeeding David Banks, indicated she would like to stay on and work for Mayor-elect Mamdani as his schools chancellor. And she gave a positive, if not a detailed, perspective on her meeting with Mamdani.
Discussion on Education
“We had a great conversation about all things education from safety to raising achievement scores and proficiency levels in math and reading,” Aviles-Ramos said on Spectrum News NY1 earlier this week. “We talked a lot about daycare versus early childhood education.” Mamdani has been crafting his own vision for education in New York City public schools, a system with about 1 million students. While he has announced numerous replacements for officials, he has retained some, such as Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Possible Picks for Chancellor
Other possible picks for chancellor discussed by observers include former Chancellor Meisha Ross Porter, but Aviles-Ramos has been garnering some support over her first year on the job. “What we’re really addressing is an opportunity gap, not an achievement gap,” Aviles-Ramos recently told NY1. “When teacher and students are given the right resources, we see those test scores go up.”
A Solid Report Card
Aviles-Ramos has a good report card among many parents, teachers, and activists boosted by an improved report card for students, including rising math and ELA proficiency scores across the board. Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, called the rise in ELA and math scores announced a little bit before the end of her first year “a testament to the hard work by New York City educators and our students.” He then singled out Aviles-Ramos for working hard to keep and implement various programs.
Progress in Proficiency Scores
Proficiency in grades three to eight in 2025 rose 3.4 points in Math and 7.2 points in ELA since 2024 in data released in August, reaching 56.9% for Math and 56.3% for ELA. While that still leaves a lot of space to improve, it’s positive momentum with rates rising across all ethnicities for grades 3 to 8, including a 1.1 point rise to 80.8% for Asian students in Math, White students up 2.8 points to 75.1%, Black students rising 4.6 points to 43%, and Hispanics increasing 3.4 points to 43.1%.
Initiatives and Programs
Aviles-Ramos has been implementing and expanding instructional initiatives, such as NYC Reads and NYC Solves as well as Student Pathways. And she launched NYCPS Cares this spring, designed to address “systemic inequities in schools.” “In the end, I’m a super teacher, I’m a former principal,” Aviles-Ramos told New York 1. “I get to go into classrooms and have conversations with teachers and principals about pedagogy, and curriculum and instruction.”
Bringing a Diverse Student Body Together
The New York City schools are a diverse city within a city with 906,248 students in the 2024-2025 school year including 42.3% Hispanic, 19.3% Black, 18.7% Asian and Pacific Islander, 16.1% White, 2% multiracial, and 1.2% native American. About three quarters, or 75.3%, are categorized as economically disadvantaged, so many students may face economic challenges as well.
Support for Aviles-Ramos
“She’s child-centered. She’s an educator,” one former principal told amNewYork regarding Aviles-Ramos. “Her passion is to see children succeed and she is a mother of a child in the New York City school system.” Aviles-Ramos, according to the former principal, also recognizes and supports programs to serve children in a wide range of social circumstances, including those living in shelters.
Conclusion
Mayor-elect Mamdani will make his choice to implement his educational vision, but the current chancellor at least seems to have finished her first year with a good report card from many. The former principal believes there’s value in allowing Aviles-Ramos to continue working with him to achieve his goals. “She’s approachable and open. She listens to criticism. She’s not a pushover, but she’ll take suggestions under advisement,” the former principal said.
FAQs
Q: Who is the current Schools Chancellor of New York City?
A: The current Schools Chancellor of New York City is Melissa Aviles-Ramos.
Q: What are the proficiency scores for Math and ELA in grades 3 to 8?
A: Proficiency in grades three to eight in 2025 rose 3.4 points in Math and 7.2 points in ELA since 2024, reaching 56.9% for Math and 56.3% for ELA.
Q: What initiatives has Aviles-Ramos implemented during her tenure?
A: Aviles-Ramos has implemented and expanded instructional initiatives, such as NYC Reads and NYC Solves as well as Student Pathways, and launched NYCPS Cares to address “systemic inequities in schools.”
Q: What is the demographic breakdown of the New York City school system?
A: The New York City schools are a diverse city within a city with 42.3% Hispanic, 19.3% Black, 18.7% Asian and Pacific Islander, 16.1% White, 2% multiracial, and 1.2% native American students.
Q: What is the percentage of economically disadvantaged students in the New York City school system?
A: About three quarters, or 75.3%, of the students are categorized as economically disadvantaged.
