This is a result of the messed up politics surrounding the NYC Schools Chancellor position, not an indicator of anything to do with New York or its society as a whole. Dennis Walcott is the second chancellor in a row without the credentials legally required of any appointee to the position. And he's only there because the previous one, Cathie Black, who had literally no background in education at all, couldn't even stick it out for four months. Bear in mind Cathie Black's appointment was part of the ridiculous notion getting popular in this country that being a successful businessperson somehow qualifies you to be a good public servant. With her sudden absence, the deputy mayor was just shoved in since they needed to find someone on short notice and he had one relevant degree. Believe me: no one in the administration or faculty, let alone in NYC as a whole, actually respects this guy's ideas either.