08. Conclusion

New York City is currently going through the most extensive re-organization of its schools in the last 30 years. Although the rhetoric of reform emphasizes accountability, participation, transparency and access, there is little real evidence of this shift in the daily practice of schools. International human rights standards and practice offer a compelling framework to support and implement such a shift, and thus create mutually reinforcing structures of participation and accountability designed to safeguard the human right to education. Communities, advocates and policy-makers must work collectively towards creating these structures and human rights offers a strong conceptual basis to engage in this critical effort.