As school districts plan to reopen in the fall — whether in person, remote, or a combination of the two — and beyond, one thing is certain: our students deserve a quality education, and that basic right is being denied to too many Black, Brown and low-income students. Our children deserve a school reopening that … Continue reading Tell Our State Leaders: Enact Revenues Now!
Roadmap to a Just Reopening & Just Schools
AQE Releases Community-Centered Roadmap for a Just School Reopening
ALBANY, N.Y. (July 10, 2020) — Public education advocacy organization the Alliance for Quality Education released a “roadmap” for reopening New York’s public schools in September, centering the recommendations and voices of parents, students, educators and others in cities and communities across the state. As New York’s school districts grapple with how to safely reopen school buildings … Continue reading AQE Releases Community-Centered Roadmap for a Just School Reopening
The rich are getting richer
We need New York’s elected leaders to protect children, not billionaires. School districts have been forced to make cuts to vital services and programs all while New York’s 112 billionaires collectively saw their wealth increase by $59.5 billion in the past four months. In the midst of uprisings and a public health crisis, lawmakers are … Continue reading The rich are getting richer
Winning Police Free Schools in Rochester
In March, just before the New York State budget deadline, AQE made a pivotal decision early on to focus on transitioning our community organizing and advocacy to an entirely online platform. The state budget negotiations didn’t miss a beat, so we couldn’t either.
Mayor & City Council Balance Budget on Backs of Kids to Protect Cops
Parents of the NYC Coalition for Educational Justice and the Alliance for Quality Education, along with the millions of parents, students and educators across the city, are infuriated by and dismayed at this year’s education budget. Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson, and the entire City Council have failed the children of NYC. “The 1.1 million … Continue reading Mayor & City Council Balance Budget on Backs of Kids to Protect Cops
Mayor and City Council Must Fund Schools, Not the Police
New York, N.Y. (June 29th, 2020) – Parents from the NYC Coalition of Educational Justice (CEJ) and the Alliance for Quality Education joined by Education Activist and former gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, public school teacher and soon to be State Senator Jabari Brisport and others to express their outrage over … Continue reading Mayor and City Council Must Fund Schools, Not the Police
Defund the NYPD, Fully Fund Public Schools
With less than a week until the New York City budget is finalized, Mayor de Blasio is STILL proposing a cut of $800 million from New York City public schools — including cutting mental health supports for students. Just this week the Mayor laid off counselors in high need schools across the city — yet he has proposed to … Continue reading Defund the NYPD, Fully Fund Public Schools
Governor Cuomo Cuts Aid to Municipalities
ALBANY, N.Y. (June 24, 2020) — At a time when our cities are hurting from the loss of revenue, and the needs of New Yorkers are dramatically increasing, Governor Cuomo has abandoned his responsibility to take action. The Governor would have us all believe that he bears no responsibility for that financial and emotional pain that … Continue reading Governor Cuomo Cuts Aid to Municipalities
Police-Free Schools Are a Victory for Rochester’s Students & Families
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (June 16, 2020) — Today, Rochester will make history when the City Council votes to create police-free public schools, making it the third city in the nation to take this important step in the wake George Floyd’s murder and the subsequent uprisings. Cities around the nation are at last recognizing the danger and … Continue reading Police-Free Schools Are a Victory for Rochester’s Students & Families