Contact:
Emily Karol, Alliance for Quality Education
emily@aqeny.org, (518) 432-5315 ext. 102

RELEASE

COMMUNITY GROUPS COLLABORATE WITH BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO WIN NEW SCHOOL DISCIPLINE CODE OF CONDUCT

New Code of Conduct Designed to Reduce Suspensions, Increase City’s Graduation Rate

Buffalo, New York – A coalition of parents and community members led by Citizen Action of New York and the Alliance for Quality Education today applauded the Buffalo Board of Education for passage of a new Code of Conduct that advocates say will bring common-sense discipline back to classrooms across the city. The groups worked collaboratively with Buffalo Public Schools to recommend and help craft the new Code.

“Our goal has been to shift our approach from primarily punitive responses to restorative ones–from reaction to intervention. Principals and student support teams have worked very hard at bringing an intervention-based framework to our schools.  This new Code reflects all of that work,” said Associate Superintendent for Educational Services Dr. Will Keresztes. “This was a model of collaboration among stakeholders.  We established some best practices for community-wide collaboration that should be remembered.”

“Buffalo’s new Code of Conduct is one of the most progressive in the country, and serves as a model for the entire nation.  The new discipline code eliminates suspensions for minor misbehaviors and instead focuses on the use of intervention and prevention strategies known to work, such as referrals to support staff, conflict resolution, and restorative justice.  The Code will help keep students safe and address student misbehavior, while keeping them on the path to success,” said Jason Sinocruz, Staff Attorney for Advancement Project who worked closely with the school district on developing the new Code. “We look forward to helping to fully implement the new Code before the start of the new school year.”

“Education is the gateway to a brighter future, more secure future. This plan will help ensure Buffalo schools live up to this promise and more adequately prepare ALL children for growth and opportunity,” said Sue Gillick, Board Member of Citizen Action of Western New York.

“All students deserve to be on pathways to college or careers, but far too many in our city school system are systematically pushed out of the classroom and into the juvenile justice system through the overuse of suspensions and harsh disciplinary policies,” said Sherry Byrnes, Alliance for Quality Education leader and member of Citizen Action of New York. “As a caring, democratic community, we have a responsibility to create safe, high quality schools for our children and to provide them with every opportunity to succeed.”

Unfortunately, this has not always been the case in Buffalo. In the 2009-2010 school year, 1 out of every 5 Buffalo students were suspended. This is higher than the New York state average of 1 out of every 20 students. Although Black students constitute only 56% of the Buffalo student body, they comprise 72% of students who are suspended.

“It’s our children who are suffering, but all of us are affected. Once a child has been suspended, the child has a harder time staying on track academically. In fact, children who are suspended are at increased risk of dropping out altogether,” said Ina Ferguson-Downing, Alliance for Quality Education leader and member of Citizen Action of New York. “This new Code of Conduct is a great start to stopping the school-to-prison pipeline!”

In 2010, 15-year old Jawaan Daniels was given an out-of-school suspension for wandering the halls at school. As he left the school that day to begin serving the out-of-school suspension, he was the victim of a drive-by shooting.

“Had Jawaan been in school, he might still be alive today. His is a fate, no child, no parent, no community should have to endure,” said James E. Payne, Board Member of Citizen Action of Western New York.

“Buffalo is providing leadership that more school districts across New York need to follow by adopting a progressive Code of Conduct focused on keeping students in school and solving problems,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education. “This is a welcome change from excessive suspensions that lead to pushing students out of school and even bigger problems. We commend local Buffalo parents and students for organizing to demand change after the terrible tragedy that cost student Jawaan Daniels his life and we commend the school board and the administration for working with the community to make this happen. We commit to continue to work with all stakeholders to make the implementation of the new policies successful.”

Following Jawaan Daniel’s death, Citizen Action New York and Alliance for Quality Education (CANY/AQE) stepped up their pressure on the school system to review and update the school discipline code. They worked behind the scenes with Buffalo Public Schools for months to help develop the plan which will address student misbehavior, while keeping youth on the path to success. Specifically, the code will:

• Focus on proven prevention and intervention strategies, such as Positive Interventions Support (PBIS), referrals to support staff, and alternatives to suspension, such as conflict resolution and restorative justice. For example, before being suspended for a behavior such as “minor fighting,” under the new Code, the school will intervene with the students involved and use a restorative justice process to get at the root of the problem. These prevention and intervention strategies more effectively address behavior and help kepp students in school and learning.
• More clearly define the misbehaviors that violate the Code and the consequences attached to them, with an emphasis on eliminating suspensions for minor misbehaviors.  For example, under the new Code, students cannot be suspended for a minor disruption on the bus, dress code violations, and running around in the hallways.
• Contain easy to follow due process charts and timelines so that students, parents, and families know their rights and can advocate for themselves when facing unfair discipline.
• Require mandatory staff training on the Code’s contents.
• Contain requirements for annual data collection and public review.

The new Code of Conduct is on par with a broader push by the National School Boards Association who earlier this month released a new policy guide urging schools to move away from exclusionary discipline policies that data shows disproportionately impact children of color. The policy guide, Addressing the Out-of-School Suspension Crisis, rightly asserts:

School disciplinary measures should not be used to exclude students from school or otherwise deprive them of an education, and should be used as a last resort in schools in order to preserve the safety of students and staff. While overly harsh school discipline policies can affect all students, they have disproportionately impacted students of color. In the past few years, numerous reports and studies have highlighted the racial disparities in school suspension and expulsion as well as their negative impact on student achievement.

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Contact:
Emily Karol, Alliance for Quality Education
emily@aqeny.org, (518) 432-5315 ext. 102

RELEASE

Excessive Testing Undermines Teaching & Learning

Statement by Billy Easton, Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education

“It is not difficult to understand why growing numbers of parents around the country are choosing to have their children opt out of testing,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education. “Too often our state and federal policy makers have confused testing with teaching. In New York, test standards have been raised, but the state has failed in providing the curriculum and resources necessary to prepare students for these rigorous tests. Raising the quality of education is the right idea, but simply making the tests harder does not accomplish the goal. When tests are tied to high stakes consequences for schools, teachers and students, evidence shows that teaching and learning is undermined.”

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Contact:
Emily Karol, AQE Communications Associate
emily@aqeny.org, (518) 432-5315 ext. 102

Marina Marcou-O’Malley, AQE Policy Analyst
marina@aqeny.org, (518) 432-5315 ext. 103

RELEASE

Alliance for Quality Education Reaction to the 2013-2014 Education Budget

Statement by Billy Easton, Executive Director

“What pleased us most about the public discussion of education this year was the growing awareness of how state funding decisions affect schools over a multi-year period. Cuts reverberate, not for weeks or months, but years and sometimes a lifetime. A student who is deprived of opportunity in a critical period of development may never fully recover. This sad fact is something that New York policymakers must always keep in mind.

“AQE has been sounding the alarm on the devastating consequences of classroom cuts over the last four years. We are pleased that state officials, this year, finally started to listen. This year’s budget begins to turn the corner, and we commend the Governor and both houses of the Legislature for their efforts.

“We know that the Executive budget proposal was not adequate to prevent a fifth straight year of classroom cuts, but this budget is significantly better. This budget will protect many essential educational programs in many schools ranging from arts and music, to college preparatory courses, to tutoring for students who fall behind. It will keep teachers in classrooms and librarians and guidance counselors in schools.  After four straight years of significant classroom cuts, hopefully this budget will hold the line for most, though probably not all, school districts.

“There remain urgent educational needs that must be addressed, such as closing the now widening gulf in educational opportunities between wealthy and poor schools and getting the state to recommit to the resources our schools need on an ongoing basis. But, this is the best education budget we have seen since 2008.  Thousands of New Yorkers raised their voices to highlight the crisis our schools are facing; this year’s budget shows that democracy can work.”

Budget Facts:

• In the Executive Budget the Governor proposed a $550 million increase in school aid, $203 million in one-time Fiscal Stabilization Funds and $75 million in competitive grants.
• As reflected on the school aid runs, the legislature converted the $203 million in Fiscal Stabilization Funds into ongoing funding through foundation aid and Gap Elimination Adjustment Restorations. In addition, the Legislature added another $183 million in school aid.
• The budget includes an important reform to the foundation aid formula in order to stop shortchanging some of the highest need school districts by no longer overstating income levels in the poorest districts in the state.  This reform removes the floor on the Income Wealth Index.
• New York City students will lose $240 million in school aid due to the lack of an agreed upon teacher evaluation system. But this is a one-time penalty and as such is not reflected in the school aid runs.
• For future years students around the state will no longer be threatened by this penalty. Once teacher evaluation systems are in place they will remain in place unless renegotiated.
• The budget includes $25 million for competitive grants for New York’s first state-funded full-day pre-K program, $20 million for Extended Learning Time, $15 million for Community Schools and $15 million for other competitive grant programs.

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Contact: 
Emily Karol, Alliance for Quality Education
emily@aqeny.org, (518) 432-5315

RELEASE

AQE REACTION ON NEW YORK CITY $250 MILLION SCHOOL AID PENALTY

We are awaiting the finalization of the details of the education budget negotiations with optimism for a good education budget.  There are a few clear facts that have emerged in the budget.

Under this budget New York City students would suffer a $250 million penalty in school aid.  This is very disappointing as it is unfair to punish students for the unsuccessful negotiations between Mayor Bloomberg and the UFT regarding teacher evaluations. However, there is an important silver lining because the budget ensures that any loss of classroom resources will be temporary, instead of permanent as was originally proposed.  The $250 million, which was supposed to become a permanent cut for every school year going forward, would instead only be a one year penalty. This important gain is the direct result of the efforts of Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver, Education Chair Cathy Nolan and other members of the Assembly Majority. The issue will now be in the hands of the state courts where a judge has sided with students and issued an injunction against the implementation of these cuts.

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Contact:
Emily Karol, Alliance for Quality Education
emily@aqeny.org, (518) 432-5315

RELEASE

AQE Applauds Full-Day Pre-K Funding in the State Budget Agreement

Statement from Billy Easton, Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education

In response to the reported state budget agreement:

“Hats off to Governor Cuomo and Speaker Silver for joining forces to deliver New York’s first state funded, full-day pre-Kindergarten program,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education. “Pre-K is hands-down the most cost effective education reform available. Every dollar invested saves seven dollars in future costs. Thanks to quality pre-K programs, students do better in school and college, earn higher salaries as adults, and are significantly less likely to end up in prison. This investment in full-day pre-K is a modest, but important, beginning. This year’s pilot program provides an excellent foundation to expand next year.”
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Contact:
Emily Karol, Alliance for Quality Education
emily@aqeny.org, work-(518) 432-5315

RELEASE

AQE Praises Senate Majority for Adding $299 Million in GEA School Aid Restorations

Calls for NYC Members of the Senate Majority to Stop $240 Million in NYC Cuts

The Senate Majority budget adds $299 million in Gap Elimination Adjustment restorations, an amount close to the $308 million in GEA restorations and Foundation Aid that is in the Assembly budget. Both GEA and Foundation Aid provide basic classroom support and, depending on how they are distributed, prioritize fairness and equity of opportunity.  The Senate adds significantly more high tax aid than the Assembly, but adds less total money when the Assembly’s New York City restoration is considered.  However, the $299 million in GEA restoration is a significant amount of funding.

“The Senate, like the Assembly, is adding around $300 million in basic classroom aid, which is a recognition of the fact that our schools are steadily losing ground due to Albany’s policies,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director, Alliance for Quality Education.  “We appreciate the fact that the Senate is joining the Assembly in clearly saying there is not enough school aid in the Governor’s budget.  Now, the questions are will the funding formula in the final budget be fair and will both houses hold firm that they can accept no less funding than they have proposed.”

“It is inconceivable that six New York City Senators, both Republicans and Independent Democrats, voted not to restore $240 million in damaging cuts for New York City students while also voting for tens of millions of dollars in high tax aid for wealthy suburban districts. Clearly, New York City gets the short end of this stick. Hopefully these Senators will reconsider as budget negotiations go forward,” Easton said.

“The proposal to expand pre-Kindergarten, including the first state-funded full-day program is critically important. It was proposed by the Governor and supported by the Assembly. Pre-K is the most cost effective educational investment available. This needs to be an urgent priority, and we need the Senate Majority to get on board,” Easton said.

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Contact:
Emily Karol, Alliance for Quality Education
emily@aqeny.org, work-(518) 432-5315 ext. 102

RELEASE

AQE Praises Assembly Majority for Adding $308 Million in School Aid Focused on Equity

Protects New York City Students from $240 Million in Cuts

Supports Pre-Kindergarten Expansion including Full-Day Pre-K

The State Assembly will be voting this week on an education budget bill that adds $308 million in classroom funding distributed fairly and equitably, stops $240 million in classroom cuts for New York City, and supports the creation of the first state funded full-day pre-Kindergarten program.  The Alliance for Quality Education is strongly supporting these budget proposals from the Assembly.

Additional $308 Million in Statewide School Aid
“The Assembly education budget bill adds $308 million in classroom funds to the Governor’s budget and distributes these funds fairly and equitably,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director, Alliance for Quality Education.  “Our schools have faced classroom cuts for four years running. The Assembly budget bill is an important first step. We need both houses of the Legislature to insist that the additional funds proposed make it into the final budget.”

Stopping Cuts for New York City
“Students in New York City cannot be punished because the Mayor and the union could not close a deal on teacher evaluations.  The Governor has a plan for ensuring an evaluation system is in place, there is no longer an excuse for cutting these funds,” Easton said.  “For some reason the three Independent Democrats in the Senate who represent New York City seem to be okay with New York City students losing out on classroom resources.  It is baffling why they would not stand up for New York City students.”

Full-Day Pre-K
“The Assembly bill brings New York State one step closer to having a state funded full-day pre-Kindergarten program. Pre-K is perhaps the most effective education reform available, and full-day pre-K increases students’ success in school, college and the job market.  But, the Senate Majority Coalition is not supporting full-day pre-Kindergarten, and we need them to get on board in order to make this happen,” Easton said.

“Speaker Silver, Education Chair Cathy Nolan and the entire Assembly Majority deserve praise for their efforts in putting this bill together and proposing substantial investments above the Governor’s budget plan, including working to stop the cuts for New York City.  Shelly Silver has always led the way on pre-K and the fact that he found a way to integrate Governor Cuomo’s full-day pre-K proposal with the existing UPK program is a testament to his consistent leadership on the issue,” Easton said.

Under the Assembly proposal, $208 million is added through Foundation Aid and another $100 million through Gap Elimination Adjustment restorations. Both formulas prioritize high need school districts. The Assembly budget bill would also stop a $240 million cut to New York City schools that is tied to implementing a teacher evaluation system. The Governor has proposed a procedure that will ensure all districts implement an evaluation system eliminating the reasoning behind making the cuts. In addition, the Assembly bill supports the Governor’s proposal to add $25 million in pre-Kindergarten grants.  While the Governor’s proposal would require that all of the funds go to full-day programs, the Assembly gives local school districts the option of expanding half-day programs or adding full-day pre-Kindergarten.

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Contact:
Emily Karol, Alliance for Quality Education
emily@aqeny.org, (518) 432-5315

RELEASE

AQE Praises Senate Democrats on School Aid

20 Senators Call on Governor and Legislative Leaders to Boost School Aid Statewide

and Reverse Proposed Cuts to New York City Schools

ALBANY – Today, 20 Senators sent a letter, initiated by Senator Kevin Parker of Brooklyn,  to Governor Cuomo and the legislative leaders calling for an additional $350 million in school aid statewide to be distributed in a way the prioritizes high need schools. The letter also calls for the reversal of a $260 million cut for New York City. At the letter points out, the threatened cut to New York City schools would punish students even though they have nothing to do with the dead end negotiations between Mayor Bloomberg and the union.  With schools struggling to provide even the basics, another $350 million is necessary in order to prevent more cuts to the classroom and ensure that all of New York’s students are receiving a “sound basic education.”

“I have always believed that education is the ultimate ladder for economic opportunity,” said Senator Kevin Parker (D-Bklyn). “When we deny our children equal education, we deny them the ability to achieve the success they deserve, which we cannot in good conscience do.” “ That is why I, and 18 of my colleagues are calling upon the Governor to add $350 million in aid for schools statewide to prevent more cuts in the classroom, and to reverse the $260 million funding cut to New York City schools, so we will finally stop jeopardizing our children’s future.”

“There has been a growing ground swell in the legislature for more school aid and against the New York City cuts,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director, Alliance for Quality Education. “These Senators, like many legislators, are sick and tired of the continuous classroom cuts that have overtaken our schools. Senator Parker has been a consistent advocate of full and fair funding for our schools and he has galvanized support among his colleagues. This letter lays out  in no uncertain terms the funding levels our schools need in this year’s budget and makes a strong and clear call for equity and opportunity for all New York State students.”

Click here to view the letter.

Signed on are:

1.   Senator Kevin Parker

2.   Senator Brad Hoylman

3.   Senator Gustavo Rivera

4.   Senator Tony Avella

5.   Senator Joe Addabbo

6.   Senator Jose Serrano

7.   Senator Velmanette Montgomery

8.   Senator Terry Gipson

9.   Senator Ted O’Brien

10.  Senator Eric Adams

11.  Senator Toby Ann Stavisky

12.  Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson

13.  Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk

14.  Senator James Sanders

15.  Senator Adriano Espaillat

16.  Senator Jose Peralta

17.  Senator Martin Malave Dilan

18.  Senator John Sampson

19.  Senator Tim Kennedy

20. Senator Daniel Squadron

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Bill Thompson Urges State Legislature to Restore $260 Million in Education Funding & Honor CFE Obligations

Former New York City Comptroller and candidate for Mayor William C. Thompson, Jr. released the following statement urging the New York State Legislature to restore $260 million in education funding for New York City schools and to finally fulfill its obligations to the City’s students by adhering to the CFE funding requirements.

Bill Thompson said: ”I urge the State Legislature to immediately restore the $260 million in aid that we lost as a result of Mayor Bloomberg’s inability to strike a deal on teacher evaluations. We need that money for our students, regardless of City Hall’s performance.  I also urge the state to help bring equality back to the CFE formula and to follow through on their promises to provide the funding our students need, so we can give them the education they deserve. The Campaign for Fiscal Equity was a watershed moment for New York City students.  That is why I was at the front of the fight on CFE when I was president at the Board of Education.  Our students deserve nothing less.”

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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

March 5, 2013

Statement by City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn

Re: Alliance for Quality Education’s March in Albany Calling for Equitable School Aid

“I applaud Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature for their leadership to ensure school districts across the state have evaluation systems in place that are focused on the development of teachers, giving school leaders tools to hold teachers accountable for students’ learning while helping them grow and become more effective in the classroom. The Bloomberg Administration and UFT must come to an agreement on this vital issue and a fair teacher evaluation system must be in place in the City as soon as possible. That said, New York City’s students should not be penalized for the lack of a deal on teacher evaluations when they had no seat the bargaining table and no role in the impasse.”

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DE BLASIO: NYC STUDENTS CAN’T AFFORD TO LOSE $260 MILLION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 5, 2013

“New York City students have never received their fair share of funding, and losing a further $260 million because of the Mayor’s intransigence will only deepen that inequity. Our students shouldn’t be held responsible for City Hall’s mistakes. We need both a meaningful evaluation system and the full funding our schools are counting on.”

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RELEASE

PARADE IN ALBANY TO FOCUS ON EQUITABLE SCHOOL AID

Hundreds March to Demand State Budget Aid to Restore School Programs

ALBANY – Hundreds of parents, teachers and community leaders today urged state lawmakers to address a growing gap in funding levels between rich and poor school districts across the state.

The advocates took part in a Parade for Public Education led by Cohoes High School marching band. The event, which included parents, students and teachers from across the state, drew more than 1,000 people. The paraded marched around the state Capitol and culminated with a rally at the West Lawn of the Capitol.

Speakers at the rally called for adequate and equitable funding for schools. Advocates expressed that their schools are in crisis and cannot afford a fifth straight year of cuts. Last year, the state budget allocated a four percent restoration in aid, and school districts across the state were forced to make sweeping cuts to programs, classes and teachers. This year, the Governor proposed a 4.4 percent restoration, which is almost the same amount as last year.  More classroom cuts are inevitable this year without additional aid to schools.

Advocates at the rally, including the Educate NY Now campaign, are calling for:

• $350 million in additional school aid distributed fairly and equitably based upon student need
• $203 million in Fiscal Stabilization Funds, proposed by the Governor, to be distributed equitably through either the Foundation Formula or the Gap Elimination Adjustment

In addition, the Alliance for Quality Education and New York City participants are calling for:

• Restoration of $260 million that is threatened to be cut from the New York City schools because the Mayor and the union have yet to successfully negotiate a teacher evaluation system.

“I am a mother of twin toddlers. My children will be entering the Buffalo Public School system for the first time in September. But I fear for them,” said Angelica Rivers, parent from Buffalo, NY. “This proposed budget is just not enough! It’s not enough to prevent cuts, and these cuts will hurt my sons. My sons love football, and in Buffalo, they want to cut down the football program to just four teams for the whole district. That means tons of children won’t be able to participate. These are kids whose only reason for not being on the street is football.”

“It is really important that parents came to Albany today to advocate for their children.  We need to restore funding to the budget to make up for the fact that school have absorbed so many cuts in recent years,” said Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, Chair of the Education Committee.

“There is a resounding problem in New York State when the poorest and most vulnerable kids are not receiving the education that is rightfully theirs,” said Ryan Carson, student from Unatego High School.  “Just five years ago, my school had more electives, a wider variety of extracurricular activities and more teachers. Today, students have fewer opportunities than their older brothers and sisters.  We are not asking for the moon and the stars, we just ask for what is our constitutional right.”

“It’s a shame that every year students, parents and educators have to remind their state legislators that we need funding,” said Tyrone Francisco, Senior at Brownsville Academy High School. “At our school, we have lost our music program, our tutoring and extension program. This jeopardizes our ability to compete with students from around the country when we arrive at college. We urge Albany to restore the funds and put us back on a level playing field.”

“Race, economics and disability should not be predictors for student achievement.  The inequitable distribution of state aid ensures that these factors, outside of a child’s control, will continue to determine the quality of their education,” said Laurence Spring, Schenectady City School District Superintendent. “We must demand immediate change.  We cannot settle for anything less than an outcome that meets the original premise of foundation aid, which is to ensure equity for all students in New York State.  The inequitable distribution of state aid has set the clock back and has severe consequences on students in high needs districts – like Schenectady.”

“Since the 2008-09 school year, our expenses have gone up more than $21 million and the state has reduced our aid by another $8.8 million – a painful combination for our students, families and community,” said City School District of Albany Superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard, Ph.D. “We have eliminated 300 jobs, closed a middle school, cut programs for students at every level, looked for and found savings in every corner of our organization and invested tens of millions of dollars from our dwindling reserves to help offset the burden on our taxpayers.  We are running out of options to meet our obligations to our children and families, and we implore our state lawmakers to provide us and struggling public schools across New York with the financial help our students need and deserve.”

“Every day in classrooms all across our state, New York’s teachers are overcoming incredible obstacles to provide our children with a first rate education, but they can’t do it alone,” said Mario Cilento, President of the New York State AFL-CIO.   “Funding inequities and shortcomings have only been magnified by the ill-conceived tax cap, which makes it all the more important that the state step-up and provide stable and predictable resources for all schools so that every child has access to the quality education they deserve.”

“Cuts to public schools and colleges — and the devastating property tax cap — mean a lesser education for our students, and weaker state economy,” said NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta, who noted school districts have $1.1 billion less in state aid this year than in 2008-09. “We are marching to send a clear message to lawmakers that the proposed education budget falls far short of what districts need to preserve teachers and programs, and the quality education that every child deserves.”

“Strong school libraries build strong students,” said Sue Kowalski, Pine Grove Middle School librarian in East Syracuse. “When funds reduce the quality of our library programs, we are cutting at the center of teaching and learning in a school. School libraries are a wise investment for an entire school community. Our students deserve their continued support.”

“A four percent increase last year didn’t save us from devastating classroom cuts, and unless we get at least $350 million in additional funding this year, it will be more of the same,” said Zakiyah Ansari, mother of eight children in New York City, Advocacy Director at the Alliance for Quality Education. “The cuts to art, music, honor classes in addition to districts having to reduce summer school and career and technical education continue to hurt our children and move them further away from being college and career ready. We need the Governor and legislature to fund our schools now.”

“New York State is failing its students by not living up to its constitutional obligation to provide every child with a ‘sound basic education,’” said New York City Councilmember Robert Jackson, Chair of the Education Committee. “As lead plaintiff in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit, I worked to ensure that equitable educational opportunity is paramount in the funding of our schools. It is imperative that the state live up to its constitutional obligation by funding schools adequately and equitably.”

“Today, over 1,000 New Yorkers demanded adequate and equitable funding for their schools,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education. “The state can no longer hide behind the phrase, “Money doesn’t matter.” As we have seen, money does matter. It matters in the districts that are on the verge of educational insolvency. It matters to the students who are cut out of music, art, sports and afterschool programs. And, it should matter to New York State because the enormous opportunity gap between students will have damaging consequences for our economic future. The legislature must add funds to the Governor’s budget in order to prevent yet another year of classroom cuts.”

“New York State has a long history of funding inequities when it comes to public schools in high need areas. It is a proven fact that funding inequities lead to opportunity gaps for students,” said Ocynthia Williams, Bronx parent with United Parents of Highbridge.  “It is imperative that this year the Governor and legislators do the right thing for our kids by ensuring there is more aid put into the budget for schools and that the money is distributed equitably in low income and high need communities!” 

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