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There’s No Place For Islamophobia In Our Schools Or City


NEW YORK, NY (October 24, 2025) — In response to recent Islamophobic rhetoric and insinuations made by mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo against Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement: “AQE condemns in the strongest terms the Islamophobic attacks and insinuations directed at Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. The … Continue reading There’s No Place For Islamophobia In Our Schools Or City

Here’s Where NYC Mayoral Candidates Stand on Key Issues


In a Bloomberg article on New York City’s mayoral race, education and child care emerged as key tests of how the candidates would address inequality and affordability. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani called for fully universal child care, while also questioning the concentration of mayoral power over public schools. He supports smaller class sizes, stronger community … Continue reading Here’s Where NYC Mayoral Candidates Stand on Key Issues

Where the NYC mayoral candidates stand on the future of education


Education has largely taken a back seat in New York City’s mayoral race, even though the next mayor will oversee the nation’s largest school system and its $40 billion budget. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani has focused on supporting the city’s most vulnerable students and has called for ending mayoral control in favor of more democratic … Continue reading Where the NYC mayoral candidates stand on the future of education

Cellphone bans can help kids learn — but Black students are suspended more as schools make the shift


Florida’s cellphone ban led to small improvements in attendance and test scores but also revealed serious racial and economic inequities as suspensions for Black students rose sharply in the first year. The study shows that policies meant to help students can still deepen inequality when they ignore existing disparities in schools. Real progress will come … Continue reading Cellphone bans can help kids learn — but Black students are suspended more as schools make the shift

AQE Endorses Zohran Mamdani for Mayor of New York City


NEW YORK, NY (October 14, 2025) — The public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education today announced its endorsement of Zohran Mamdani for Mayor of New York City. “For a quarter century, we’ve organized to ensure every child in New York has access to a quality education,” said AQE co-executive directors Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and … Continue reading AQE Endorses Zohran Mamdani for Mayor of New York City

Keeping Schools Safe? The Research on Behavioral Threat Assessments


A report from the Learning Policy Institute finds that while school shootings have prompted widespread interest in behavioral threat assessment (BTA) systems, physical security measures alone do little to prevent violence. When implemented with strong mental health supports and a positive school climate, BTAs can reduce suspensions, bullying, and disparities in discipline while promoting fairness … Continue reading Keeping Schools Safe? The Research on Behavioral Threat Assessments

140,000 N.Y.C. Students Are Homeless. Can the Next Mayor Change That?


New York City’s worsening housing crisis has left more than 140,000 students without stable homes, deepening educational inequality and trapping families in cycles of hardship. Zohran Mamdani has pledged to confront this crisis head-on by expanding programs that connect homeless families with city support and by centering housing security as a core part of educational … Continue reading 140,000 N.Y.C. Students Are Homeless. Can the Next Mayor Change That?

Mamdani Says He Would Phase Out N.Y.C. Gifted Program for Early Grades


Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic frontrunner for New York City mayor, has announced his plan to phase out the city’s gifted and talented program for kindergarteners, reviving a proposal first floated under Mayor de Blasio. The program, which enrolls fewer than 5 percent of students in kindergarten, has long been criticized for deepening segregation and limiting … Continue reading Mamdani Says He Would Phase Out N.Y.C. Gifted Program for Early Grades

Chancellor Avilés-Ramos Responds to Community Calls for CEC Election Reform


NEW YORK, N.Y. (October 1, 2025) — In response to NYC Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Avilés-Ramos’ announcement of a new tool and renewed efforts to reform the Community Education Council (CEC) election process, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement: “Chancellor Avilés-Ramos has shown a clear commitment to listening to … Continue reading Chancellor Avilés-Ramos Responds to Community Calls for CEC Election Reform

The Charter School Pressuring Teachers to Get Involved In Politics


Success Academy and other charter networks pressured teachers, parents, and students to attend a pro-charter rally in New York City, even requiring staff to prove they had lobbied elected officials. Educators described an atmosphere of coercion and intimidation, where opting out could jeopardize their jobs. AQE’s Co-Executive Director Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari underscored that forcing families into … Continue reading The Charter School Pressuring Teachers to Get Involved In Politics