Student Journalists Interview Schools Chancellor David Banks

Student journalists gather at Tweed Courthouse and prepare their questions for the chancellor. Photo: Casey Levinson

By AVIELLE KRENDEL-SMYSLOV

Journalism students from all five boroughs sat down with NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks at downtown Manhattan’s Department of Education headquarters November 1 to discuss some of the pressing questions facing the city students.

With stories of censorship becoming more prevalent throughout the country, the student journalists were curious as to what the chancellor would do to protect first amendment rights in schools. 

“I stand for freedom of expression for student journalists here and for students all over the country,” Banks said. “You don’t give up your rights at the school door.”

Banks promised students that he would look into the New Voices Act, a law affirming that public school student journalists have the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press. He said that as long as it doesn't have a deleterious effect on a school or school culture, the speech should be allowed. 

The students who attended the roundtable (including your correspondent, from Midwood), got to put their investigative skills into action. Before sitting down and interviewing the chancellor, the selected journalists got on a Zoom call to draft out their questions and organize an agenda. A week after that, the students took trains and ferries to downtown Manhattan to reach Tweed Courthouse, near City Hall. 

Students were then led to a room with a large conference table and name cards for all of the attendees. They were each given a sheet of paper with all of their prepared questions and the order in which they would ask them. 

While everyone waited for Banks to arrive, the students introduced themselves to their peers and practiced asking their questions. 

Other than Mira Gordon, a moderator from the student journalism nonprofit The Bell, the roundtable was student-led. Students were the ones asking questions and communicating with the chancellor while the organizers and teachers just observed. 

While talking with students about journalism, Banks critiqued the modern journalistic strategy of not going into a story “blind.” He stated that many journalists go into a topic with an agenda, only seeking to hear something that proves their preconceived notions. 

Hoping to change that, Banks promised support for more journalism programs and opportunities across the city. The students pressed him on the issue of equity when it comes to extracurricular opportunities and journalism courses. Around 73% of NYC schools currently have no physical or online newspaper program, according to a study conducted by Baruch College journalism professor Geanne Belton. 

This inaccessibility disproportionately affects different boroughs. Out of the 80 schools surveyed in Queens, 48% had newspapers. Out of the 116 schools surveyed in the Bronx, less than 15% had papers. Belton’s study also found that majority Black and Latino schools rarely have journalism programs. 

To help increase access, the chancellor said he plans to organize more out-of-school meetings like the one on November 1 to connect students with journalists from news organizations like CBS, NBC, The New York Times, and more. The goal would be to help more students get involved with journalism and get their foot in the door of professional organizations.

The chancellor said he values journalism highly and believes that a “free society needs journalists.” 

Banks is also an advocate for the expansion of extracurricular opportunities, he said. He encouraged students to go beyond the traditional idea of a classroom. “Schools are complex places,” Banks said. “New York City should be your classroom.”

He also discussed the career readiness programs NYC already has in place. Earlier this year, Banks and Mayor Eric Adams announced the Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship. This program will connect 3,000 students with paid apprenticeships throughout the city. Banks, who previously led the Eagle Academy Foundation, feels especially strongly about helping young men of color with career readiness. 

Banks encouraged students to get leadership positions within their schools, thinking back to his own high school election as senior vice president as his "biggest accomplishment." 

There are three types of people in the world, Banks said: “People who make stuff happen, people who watch things happen, and people who look up unaware and say ‘Hey! What happened?’” 

In his closing remarks, the chancellor stressed to the student journalists, “Your voice matters.”