Mayoral hopeful Bill Thompson thinks education should focus on the little things — starting with kids under 6.
Unveiling his prospective education policy at NYU yesterday, the former city comptroller said he would target wee ones with new behavioral supports and added wrap-around health and social services — while identifying their academic struggles before they hit kindergarten.
Pre-kindergarten programs would also be expanded so more of the highest-needs students could start school early.
“Our initiative will identify very early on who needs additional help — and we’ll provide that help,” he said.
Thompson also proposed expanding the school day and reviving a policy that guarantees space for every child who qualifies for a gifted and talented program.
Thompson said money for the costly initiatives would come from cuts to external Department of Education contracts, but he wouldn’t specify which ones.
The Democratic candidate also continued taking swings at the current mayor’s educational legacy — including the sky-high 80 percent remediation rate for public high- school grads who enroll at CUNY’s two-year schools.
City Hall officials said the bulk of Thompson’s education policies actually came straight from their own playbook.