Report - October 2023
Upstate’s Creative Spark: How the Arts Is Catalyzing Economic Vitality Across Upstate New YorkTo reverse decades of economic stagnation and population declines in upstate New York, policymakers should look to one powerful but often overlooked catalyst: the arts. By better integrating the arts into New York State economic development planning, policymakers have an opportunity to build on recent momentum and lay the groundwork for a more vibrant, sustainable, and equitable economy.
Report - September 2023
Preparing Today’s Asylum Seekers to Be Tomorrow’s WorkforceNew York City has long struggled to help many of the city’s 2.79 million working age foreign-born residents—including over 1.4 million who have limited English proficiency—get on the path to employment. Now, tens of thousands of new asylum seekers are settling here, and the city is further behind. These newest New Yorkers can be a major boon for the city's economy, but workforce development providers need new investment to support them.
Testimony - September 2023
Training NYC’s Future Teachers to Integrate Computing EducationIn this testimony before the NYC Council Committees on Technology and Education, CUF Data Researcher Rachel Neches and Policy Director Eli Dvorkin urge the Council to expand training programs for thousands more of the city's future teachers - at all grade levels and in every subject - to integrate the core concepts of computing education into their classrooms.
Report - September 2023
Expanding on CS4All: Training NYC’s Future Teachers to Integrate Computing EducationBy training thousands more future teachers to integrate computing education in the classroom, New York City can help far more New Yorkers access technology-powered careers. Fewer than 5 percent of CUNY teacher education graduates are equipped to teach computational thinking, preventing many of the most disadvantaged students from receiving the full benefits of the Computer Science for All (CS4All) initiative.
Event - September 2023
Helping Bronx Residents Access Tech CareersOn October 11th, the Center for an Urban Future will hold a policy symposium to discuss what actions are needed to close the opportunity gap for tech careers in New York and bolster tech education and training infrastructure in the Bronx.
Commentary/Op-Ed - August 2023
Prioritize skills to fill city jobs: NYC should drop the need for a college degree for some postsIn this NY Daily News op-ed, CUF's Jonathan Bowles urges elected officials and Mayor Adams to take the lead in embracing a skills-first approach by removing degree requirements for hundreds or even thousands of city government jobs to open up well-paying public sector jobs to New Yorkers that have been shut out of these opportunities.