Community Education Councils

Community Education Councils (CECs) are volunteer parents and community leaders dedicated to supporting local district schools to improve student achievement. There are 32 CECs in New York City, one for each Community School District. Each CEC represents current Pre-K through 8th-grade students in NYC Public Schools within its district. The current 32 CECs are listed below.

1 Staten Island CEC
CEC 31

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of CECs include:
  • Working with the local superintendent to evaluate educational programs and student progress.
  • Recommending improvements to school buildings Contributing to the hiring process for superintendents and parent coordinators and evaluating the superintendent yearly.
  • Approving school zoning lines submitted by the superintendent.
  • Organizing town halls with the chancellor and holding hearings on budget and other matters where NYCPS is required to collect public feedback.
  • Participating in joint public hearings and providing input on school closings and co-locations.
  • Hosting monthly public meetings for parents to learn about NYCPS policies and share concerns.
  • Supporting school communities by connecting parents with resources and working with School Leadership Teams 

CECs are established under, and their powers and duties are defined by, New York State Education Law. Their members are public officials who serve their communities as unpaid volunteers. You can visit the Roles and Responsibilities page in the Helpful Resources section to get more information about powers and duties of education councils.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CECs are there?

There are 32 CECs in New York City, one for each Community School District. Each CEC represents current Pre-K through 8th-grade students in DOE schools within its district.

When is eligibility determined?

Eligibility is determined as of the date that an application to run for a seat on a CEC is submitted. Once elected, parent members are allowed to serve a full two-year term on the CEC even if they no longer have a child in a school under the jurisdiction of the Community School District

What if I don't meet these eligibility criteria?

If you do not meet the above criteria, you may still be eligible to serve as one of the two Borough President appointees on each CEC. Appointees do not need to be parents but must reside in the CEC’s district, or own or operate a business there; additional requirements are listed in Chancellor’s Regulation D-140.  Learn more and find the Borough President Appointee application here.