Drawing on lessons from two decades of reform, Dr. Cheri Fancsali underscores how access to independent, transparent data has helped identify what works—and what doesn’t—for students across New York City. At a time when federal investments in education research are being rolled back, this post issues a clear warning: without data and evidence, the progress we've made is threatened, and educators, families, and policymakers will be left flying blind.

From 2002 to 2013, the Children First reforms represented one of the most ambitious efforts to transform a major urban school system anywhere in the United States. This study draws on in-depth interviews, a synthesis of existing research, and longitudinal analysis of system-wide outcomes data to understand the long-term legacy and impact of the Children First era.

This report explores school-level capacity building that was part of the CS4All initiative. The analyses highlight key factors that shaped schools’ ability to implement and sustain CS—including the importance of a strong CS culture, common planning time, and strategic alignment with other instructional priorities.