Kamar Samuels, New York City’s embattled schools chancellor, has broken with a recent tradition by becoming the first education chief since its creation not to deliver a “State of Our Schools” address.
Former Chancellor David Banks introduced the speech in 2023 under Mayor Eric Adams. The annual address has been used to lay out the city’s education priorities and vision as a new school year begins, and has traditionally taken place in September.
The Department of Education confirmed that no “State of Our Schools” speech is currently on the calendar.
The decision to abandon the yearly address has frustrated parents who already believe the administration has failed to present a clear strategy for the city’s troubled public school system.
“Parents and advocates are all grumbling; they have no clue what education policy Kamar or the mayor has,” a well-placed DOE insider said.
The abrupt departure from tradition has also fueled speculation inside the DOE that City Hall may be limiting the public role of the scandal-scarred chancellor.
“Does City Hall not have confidence in Kamar to deliver a high-stakes speech?” the DOE insider speculated.
Mayor Mamdani’s administration has faced criticism over what opponents describe as an underdeveloped education agenda. His campaign plan offered few specifics, and insiders say the lack of detail has become more pronounced since he took office.
“Mayor Mamdani doesn’t have the desire to have an education agenda, the selection of Samuels was part of that, just someone to maintain the status quo,” another DOE source said.
Without a clearly stated education agenda, critics say long-running problems in the city’s schools have only deepened during Samuels’ tenure.
State test results showed a 6% year-over-year decline in English Language Arts proficiency among city students in grades 3 through 8. Roughly half of those students were proficient in reading.
Chronic absenteeism also remains widespread. About one-third of city students — nearly 300,000 children — were chronically absent, according to the DOE, unchanged from the 2024-2025 school year.
Some observers also suggested that Samuels has avoided the spotlight while facing an investigation into alleged procurement violations first reported by The Post.
According to documents obtained by The Post, Samuels signed a $180,000 no-bid contract with a vendor that had not been approved by the DOE in 2023. The documents also allege that he conspired to divide payments between two companies while serving as superintendent of District 3.
“I’m not surprised given his speech-making capabilities; it’s clear to everyone that he does not inspire confidence in his leadership or his ability to serve the need of parents and students,” the other DOE source said.
Neither Mamdani nor Samuels responded to requests for comment.
