Newsroom – Page 2 – Alliance for Quality Education

Without Investment in the Workforce, Final Budget Loses Momentum on Universal Child Care

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 27, 2026) — In response to the agreement announced on the New York State FY2027 budget, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement from Marina Marcou-O’Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, Co-Executive Directors: “Governor Hochul began this year with a bold promise to millions of New Yorkers — … Continue reading Without Investment in the Workforce, Final Budget Loses Momentum on Universal Child Care

State Education Budget Makes Progress on Equity, With More Work Ahead

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 22, 2026) — In response to the agreement announced on the New York State FY2027 budget, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement from Marina Marcou-O’Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, Co-Executive Directors: “We are encouraged that the enacted budget not only includes funding for public education beyond … Continue reading State Education Budget Makes Progress on Equity, With More Work Ahead

Youth, Parents, Educators Call on Council to Protect Free Speech for Students

NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 14, 2026) — Students, parents and advocates gathered Wednesday for a rally urging members of the New York City Council to sustain Mayor Mamdani’s veto of Intro 175-B and protect students’ right to protest. At the rally, students, families and educators shared personal stories on the importance of maintaining the right … Continue reading Youth, Parents, Educators Call on Council to Protect Free Speech for Students

Make these 5 calls for education and child care today

No, the state budget is NOT done, despite what you might have heard from Governor Hochul last week. That means there is still time to put pressure on our state leaders and legislators to do right by New York’s families and child care educators. Our elected officials need to hear that the child care workforce … Continue reading Make these 5 calls for education and child care today

Memorandum in Opposition to S.8599 (Sutton) / A.9335 (Lasher) and Part K of the FY2027 Public Protection and General Government Executive Budget bill

The Alliance for Quality Education strongly opposes S.8599 / A.9335 and Part K of the FY2027 Public Protection and General Government (PPGG) Executive Budget bill (S.9005 / A.10005), which would establish buffer zones prohibiting demonstrations within 25 feet of houses of worship and reproductive health facilities across New York. While the standalone bills apply broadly … Continue reading Memorandum in Opposition to S.8599 (Sutton) / A.9335 (Lasher) and Part K of the FY2027 Public Protection and General Government Executive Budget bill

Protect New Yorkers’ Right to Protest

It has been hard not to feel frustrated as protest is being restricted across the country, and now here, in New York State, where proposals to limit where people can gather and speak out are being considered by our state legislature. Lawmakers are weighing so-called buffer zones around houses of worship (S.8599/A.9335) that would give … Continue reading Protect New Yorkers’ Right to Protest

Don’t Leave Out Child Care Workers or CCAP from the Final Budget

We are now in a second budget extension, with leaders again moving past the deadline instead of reaching a final agreement. Decisions are still being made about what will be included in the enacted budget, and our leaders need to hear directly from us before anything is finalized. Nearly 20,000 children remain on child care waitlists … Continue reading Don’t Leave Out Child Care Workers or CCAP from the Final Budget

No Final Budget Without Taxing the Rich.

Governor Hochul let today’s deadline pass and chose a budget extender through next Tuesday over a final agreement. We have all seen how our calls to Tax the Rich have been falling on her ears. New Yorkers are asking for something different from what the Governor is advancing in Albany. The majority of New Yorkers are calling for … Continue reading No Final Budget Without Taxing the Rich.

AQE Condemns Passage of Bills Restricting First Amendment Rights

In response to New York City Council passing Intros 1-B and 175-B, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education issued the following statement: “We are furious and deeply disappointed that the members of the New York City Council voted to pass the ‘no free speech buffer zone’ bills, knowing this legislation expands police … Continue reading AQE Condemns Passage of Bills Restricting First Amendment Rights