By Kathy Amoroso
September 24, 2007

New York City was selected as the 2007 Broad Prize for Urban Education after two years as a finalist, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation announced on Tuesday, September 18. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose goal when he took control of the public schools in 2002 was to become New York City’s “education mayor,” accepted the award on behalf of the city.

“I thank the Broad Foundation for their vote of confidence in the New York City public school system. While we have made significant progress, much work remains to be done,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Today’s result demonstrates that New York City’s school reforms are raising achievement among our students, particularly minority students, to levels that weren’t considered possible just a few years ago, and this award recognizes the hard work of the teachers, students and parents and acknowledges that we are heading in the right direction.”

The $1 million Broad Prize is an annual award that honors large urban school districts that demonstrate the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among poor and minority students. The Broad Foundation awarded $500,000 for college scholarships to the winning district — the New York City Department of Education. The four remaining finalists — Bridgeport Public Schools, Long Beach Unified School District, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio — each receive $125,000 in college scholarships.

The selection committee of nine prominent national leaders from government, business, industry, education and public service included former U.S. Secretaries of Education Rod Paige and Richard W. Riley (former Governor of South Carolina), along with former Michigan Governor John Engler, now President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, and former Virginia Governor Mark Warner.

“If it can be done in New York City, it can be done anywhere,” Eli Broad said, praising Mayor Bloomberg’s leadership. “The strong leadership by the mayor, the chancellor and a progressive teachers union has allowed a school system the size of New York City to dramatically improve student achievement in a relatively short period of time. Other cities can look to New York as a model of successful urban school district reform.”

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings joined Mr. Broad at the Library of Congress to announce the winner. Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell delivered the keynote address at the awards luncheon, following remarks by U.S House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.