Thirteen months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the city's school system is still seeking a return to a sense of normalcy.

More than one million kids have had to face huge challenges, from adapting to remote learning, to missed exams and opportunities to socialize, a lack of tablets and WiFi, to the loss of school sports and so much more. 

Mark Treyger, a former school teacher and now the Chair of the City Council Education Committee, joined In Focus to talk about how the pandemic has worsened long standing inequities in public schools, especially in lower income communities.

Treyger is concerned that data from last year shows that schools that predominantly serve communities of color saw attendance rates eight times lower than their white peers.

Treyger is also worried that there are not enough special education seats available with the expansion of universal 3-K​, and he makes the case that the Regents exams are outdated and should be retired. 

One area where he gives credit is that he believes Mayor Bill de Blasio should be praised for allowing his health officials and public health experts to make the important decisions about how to reopen schools safely.