Newsroom

What Is Mamdani’s Vision for New York City’s $40 Billion School System?

In a recent New York Times article, Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, AQE’s Co-Executive Director, expressed support for rising calls to make New York’s public school system more democratic, even if the path forward remains unclear. She pointed to the ongoing transition to a fully elected school board in Chicago as a hopeful model, saying, “We all know … Continue reading What Is Mamdani’s Vision for New York City’s $40 Billion School System?

Fewer Black and Latino students win offers to attend specialized high schools

New admissions data released late last Thursday, July 31, shows that New York City’s specialized high schools continue to enroll disproportionately few Black and Latino students, deepening concerns about segregation. Advocates called the worsening numbers a reflection of the city’s lack of commitment to addressing school segregation and urged serious, systemic action. Despite past criticism … Continue reading Fewer Black and Latino students win offers to attend specialized high schools

NYC’s highly anticipated high school admissions data faces lengthy delay

New York City’s Education Department is facing criticism for delaying the release of high school admissions data, breaking a decade-long practice of sharing it by mid-June. The data, especially for the city’s elite but highly segregated specialized high schools, often sparks public debate. Advocates and former officials have questioned the delay, with some suspecting political … Continue reading NYC’s highly anticipated high school admissions data faces lengthy delay

AQE Responds to Anti-Blackness Across Borders: A Fast for Gaza and Global Justice

In response to the unfolding famine in Gaza and the genocides devastating Black and oppressed communities around the world, AQE will observe fast tomorrow, Wednesday, July 30. This fast will be a rejection of the excesses that so often coexist alongside genocide, and a refusal to accept the suffering that their continuation demands. In a … Continue reading AQE Responds to Anti-Blackness Across Borders: A Fast for Gaza and Global Justice

Trump’s Latest Cuts to Public Education

We know the news cycle has been busy these past months, and when it comes to public education, the bad news just keeps piling up. Here’s the latest: The Trump administration is holding back about $5.5 billion in education funding that Congress already approved — including hundreds of millions for New York schools, which we … Continue reading Trump’s Latest Cuts to Public Education

SCOTUS Just Gave Trump the Green Light to Dismantle Public Education

Urge your Congressional representatives to fight back against the federal administration’s moves to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and the federal protections that aim to make equity possible. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court ruled 5–4 to let the Trump administration move ahead with sweeping cuts to the U.S. Department of Education. Already, more … Continue reading SCOTUS Just Gave Trump the Green Light to Dismantle Public Education

Immigrant families just lost access to Head Start, speak up now!

Our country is built on the labor, care, and contributions of immigrants, Black women, and generations of working families. Yet time and again, those same communities are targeted, underpaid, and pushed out of the systems they help sustain. Today, on Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, we’re not just talking about wage gaps. We’re talking about … Continue reading Immigrant families just lost access to Head Start, speak up now!

The Attacks On Our Communities Won’t Stop Us

In response to HHS bans disabling immigrants’ access to taxpayer-funded programs, public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement: “The federal government’s actions today are a calculated attack on immigrant communities. Cutting students and families off from Head Start, mental health care, adult education, and other essential services under the pretense … Continue reading The Attacks On Our Communities Won’t Stop Us

AQE Responds to Tuesday’s Primary Election Results

In response to Tuesday’s primary election results, public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement: “Yesterday’s primaries showed the strength of grassroots organizing and campaigning focused on making life easier and more affordable for everyone. That includes freezing the rent, providing free child care, supporting well-funded public schools, and making the … Continue reading AQE Responds to Tuesday’s Primary Election Results

AQE Responds to NYC CEC Election Results

When Community Education Councils (CECs) function well, they provide a vital platform for parents to shape public education. In NYC, elected parents advise the Department of Education on policy, programs, zoning, and more. But too often, CECs have lacked the support and infrastructure needed to make participation truly accessible – creating space for a small, … Continue reading AQE Responds to NYC CEC Election Results