Bill O’Reilly on the New York City Public School System No Spin News and Analysis | Release Date: March 14, 2025

In this compelling episode of No Spin News and Analysis, host Bill O’Reilly delves deep into the challenges plaguing the New York City public school system. Drawing from his personal educational journey and comprehensive reports, O’Reilly presents a critical analysis of chronic absenteeism, lack of accountability, and the overall decline in educational standards within the city’s public schools.

1. Personal Educational Background

Bill O’Reilly kicks off the discussion by sharing his own educational trajectory, highlighting the stark contrast between public and Catholic schooling systems.

• Early Education: Born in Manhattan and raised in Levittown, O’Reilly attended Bowling Green School (public) for kindergarten followed by St. Bridget's Catholic school in Westbury. He emphasizes the strength of lasting friendships formed in small Catholic school settings:

  • “I take the bus. Catholic school stayed with the same 60 kids, sixty for eight years. Can you imagine that? Lasting friendships.” [02:15]

• High School and Beyond: Opting for Chaminade High School over the local public high school, O’Reilly credits Catholic education for his academic and extracurricular successes:

  • “No cupcake over there, but I got a great education.” [04:20]
  • He further recounts his seamless transition to Marist College and advanced degrees from Boston University and Harvard, attributing his ease in higher education to the strong foundation provided by his high school education.

2. Critique of the NYC Public School System

Transitioning from his personal story, O’Reilly addresses the alarming state of New York City’s public schools, focusing primarily on truancy and absenteeism rates.

• Truancy Statistics: Citing a report from the Manhattan Institute, O’Reilly reveals that 35% of public school students in NYC are chronically absent, with higher rates in early education:

  • “Chronic absenteeism, which is missing 10% or more school days in an academic year, is about 35%. And it's worse in the little kid area.” [10:05]
  • He breaks down the statistics further:
    • Kindergarten: 41%
    • First Grade: 36%
    • Second Grade: 33%

• Impact on Education: O’Reilly argues that early absenteeism leads to long-term academic struggles:

  • “They're falling way behind. They're never going to catch up. Most of them.” [12:40]

3. Accountability and Parental Responsibility

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the role of parents in their children's education and the apparent lack of accountability within the system.

• Parental Responsibility: O’Reilly strongly criticizes parents for failing to ensure their children attend school:

  • “It's the parents' fault. Now there is no mechanism in New York City, none at all, to force these kids to go to school.” [15:30]

• Lack of Enforcement: He laments the absence of truancy laws and enforcement mechanisms:

  • “There used to be truancy laws, things like that, suspensions. Not anymore. You don't want to go, you don't have to go. Nobody's going to do anything to you.” [17:45]

4. Public vs. Private Education

O’Reilly advocates for private education as a solution to the systemic failures of public schools, particularly emphasizing the benefits of Catholic schooling.

• Advantages of Catholic Schools: Highlighting his own children’s successes, he underscores the discipline and accountability inherent in Catholic education:

  • “The discipline that is in those schools is far beyond the public school system.” [22:10]
  • He cites examples of his children’s accomplishments in private schools and prestigious universities.

• Call to Action: Urging parents to consider private education, O’Reilly suggests:

  • “Scrape together the money and send a kid to private school. Do anything. I would.” [25:50]

5. Proposed Solutions and Recommendations

In concluding his analysis, O’Reilly proposes several measures to address the issues within the public school system.

• Child Neglect Laws: He advocates for the implementation of child neglect laws that would hold parents accountable for their children's education:

  • “If you don't send your kid to school, then you should get visited by social services and if you're a neglectful parent, you should be punished.” [28:30]

• Enhanced Accountability: Strengthening accountability mechanisms within schools to ensure consistent attendance and academic performance is essential to prevent the “doomed” future of current students:

  • “These kids are going to be doomed.” [30:15]

Conclusion

Bill O’Reilly’s episode on the New York City public school system presents a scathing critique backed by alarming statistics and personal anecdotes. He calls for increased parental accountability, the reinstatement of truancy laws, and a shift towards private education as viable solutions to curb the ongoing decline in educational standards. For parents and stakeholders concerned about the future of NYC’s youth, this episode serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for systemic reform.

Notable Quotes:

• “Chronic absenteeism, which is missing 10% or more school days in an academic year, is about 35%.” [10:05]
• “It's the parents' fault.” [15:30]
• “The discipline that is in those schools is far beyond the public school system.” [22:10]
• “These kids are going to be doomed.” [30:15]

For more insights and detailed analysis, visit Bill O’Reilly’s official website.