Newsroom

AQE responds to the Debate Over New York’s Regents Graduation Requirements

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 29, 2026) — In response to renewed debate over New York State’s Regents exams and graduation requirements, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement from Co-Executive Directors, Marina Marcou-O’Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari: “For seven years, the State Education Department and Board of Regents have worked with … Continue reading AQE responds to the Debate Over New York’s Regents Graduation Requirements

What Students and Families Lose When School Districts Face Budget Pressure

New AQE Report Connects State Budget Decisions to District-Level Pressures Across New York

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 8, 2026) — The public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released a new report today, What Students and Families Lose When School Districts Face Budget Pressure, examining how local budget pressures shape educational opportunity across New York. Drawing on district budgets and state data, the report examines how statewide funding … Continue reading New AQE Report Connects State Budget Decisions to District-Level Pressures Across New York

Funding public schools for the students they serve

In 2026, with all of you, AQE helped win a stronger school aid increase than the Governor initially proposed. We also helped win updates to the school funding formula so districts receive more funding to support students who are experiencing homelessness or are in foster care, along with more funding for English Language Learners. These … Continue reading Funding public schools for the students they serve

AQE Responds to Plans for Humanoid Robot at Salamanca High School

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 16, 2026) — The public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education responded to reports that Salamanca High School, located on the Seneca Nation, will begin using a humanoid robot as a teaching assistant in classrooms this fall: “We want our children prepared for the future, including a strong foundation in STEAM … Continue reading AQE Responds to Plans for Humanoid Robot at Salamanca High School

A more caring New York starts in community!

Summer is here, and we’re taking time to look back at what students, their families, the child care workforce, and advocates accomplished together this year. We’re beginning this moment of reflection with child care because it sits at the heart of so much of our work today. Child care gives young children essential early learning … Continue reading A more caring New York starts in community!

AQE Reacts to the New York City Budget Agreement

NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 30, 2026) – This is the mayor’s first budget, and he started it off weeks ago by historically declaring that it wouldn’t be resolved on the backs of everyday New Yorkers. While we didn’t expect every priority to be addressed in his first year in office in just 6 months, Mayor … Continue reading AQE Reacts to the New York City Budget Agreement