Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Klein launched Children First, a new vision for New York City public schools, in 2003. Through Children First, the Mayor and Chancellor sought to fundamentally transform the school system they inherited in 2002 when the State Legislature granted the Mayor control of the school system.

They aimed to transform a system that had allowed generations of students to leave school without the skills and knowledge they needed to succeed, turning it into a system of 1,400-plus excellent schools, capable of helping the City’s 1.1 million school children learn the skills and receive the support they deserve and need to succeed.

Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein believe education reform requires a comprehensive and integrated plan, involving changes in strategy, leadership, management, people, and programming. Three inter-related principles are the driving forces behind the Children First reforms: leadership, empowerment, and accountability. Schools need strong leaders who are empowered to make decisions and who are accountable for results.

Please click here to learn more about the history of the Children First reforms.

Please click here to learn about Children First today.

Please click here to learn more about how the Department of Education is organized.

Please click here to learn about school budgets and our Fair Student Funding approach.

Please click here for a Children First FAQ.