The report from Cornell University’s 2023 Empire State Poll reveals that two in five New Yorkers with children had to forgo employment outside the home due to child care issues, exacerbating workforce shortages. Cornell University’s ILR Buffalo Co-Lab, along with state legislators and child care advocates, has been investigating the true cost of child care, … Continue reading The Status of Child Care in New York State
Programs for high school students at risk of dropping out face ‘catastrophic’ funding cliff
Pending funding cuts to the Learning to Work program in New York City could lead to the loss of critical services and jobs for approximately 15,000 students enrolled in Young Adult Borough Centers and transfer schools. Learning to Work, which pairs alternative schools with community organizations, provides additional staff to ensure students’ attendance, connect them … Continue reading Programs for high school students at risk of dropping out face ‘catastrophic’ funding cliff
Response to Legislature’s Rejection of Proposed Congressional Maps
“We thank the New York State legislature for voting down the Independent Redistricting Commissions’ proposed Congressional maps yesterday. “When Black and brown communities are split and isolated across multiple Congressional districts it dilutes their collective power and denies them the right to vote in political representation that will carry the best agenda for their communities … Continue reading Response to Legislature’s Rejection of Proposed Congressional Maps
AQE Names Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari & Marina Marcou-O’Malley Co-Executive Directors
ALBANY, N.Y. (February 17, 2024) — Public education advocacy organization the Alliance for Quality Education announced that Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O’Malley will be the organization’s next Co-Executive Directors. Together, Shaakir-Ansari and Marcou-O’Malley have more than 30 years combined experience at AQE, and have been instrumental in the organization’s policy and advocacy work across the … Continue reading AQE Names Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari & Marina Marcou-O’Malley Co-Executive Directors
Eric Adams cancels new round of budget cuts, but fiscal cliff for NYC schools looms
New York City’s Education Department avoids additional spring budget cuts, but the school system faces the potential loss of hundreds of millions in expiring federal aid by summer unless swift action is taken by city and state officials. Advocates warn of proposed cuts, including social workers, school budgets, and an expanded preschool program, jeopardizing support … Continue reading Eric Adams cancels new round of budget cuts, but fiscal cliff for NYC schools looms
AQE Announced Executive Directors
The Alliance for Quality Education announced that Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O’Malley will officially take over as executive directors. The duo served in their positions on an interim basis since November, when former executive director Jasmine Gripper moved to head the Working Families Party. The two have been in Albany this session advocating for a … Continue reading AQE Announced Executive Directors
The State of Poverty and Disadvantage in New York City (Winter 2024)
A new report from Robin Hood and Columbia University’s Center on Poverty and Social Policy found a steep increase in poverty rates in New York City — a jump from 1.5 to 2 million residents between 2021 and 2022. The city’s poverty rate is now at 12 percent, which is double the national average. Read the full … Continue reading The State of Poverty and Disadvantage in New York City (Winter 2024)
BPHA Caucus to demand higher tax hikes for the rich in state budget
New York’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus is advocating for changes to the state’s tax policy, urging increased personal income taxes on the wealthiest residents to fund essential programs and counter proposed cuts by Governor Kathy Hochul. The caucus, focusing on addressing economic, housing, healthcare, and maternal health disparities affecting people of … Continue reading BPHA Caucus to demand higher tax hikes for the rich in state budget
Lawmakers press Banks to comply with class size law
State lawmakers are pressuring Mayor Eric Adams and schools Chancellor David Banks to adhere to a law mandating lower class sizes in New York public schools. Legislators, during a budget hearing, urged solutions for reducing class sizes over five years by 2028, emphasizing the importance of class size reductions linked to the Campaign for Fiscal … Continue reading Lawmakers press Banks to comply with class size law
N.Y. state Senate GOP’s education legislative package aims to counteract Hochul’s funding proposals
New York State Senate Republicans have introduced a legislative package to counter Governor Hochul’s changes to the education budget, criticizing her proposed package as a disguised cut and highlighting concerns about eliminating the “Save Harmless” or “Hold Harmless” provision. The connections made by Senate Republicans between the Governor’s proposals to the education budget and the … Continue reading N.Y. state Senate GOP’s education legislative package aims to counteract Hochul’s funding proposals