Newsroom

Massive School Funding Threats! Take Action Today


As the threat of severe cuts looms in the governor’s budget proposal, we urgently need to come together to influence the fate of statewide school funding. This week, New York legislative leaders – Senate Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie, and their colleagues – are fine-tuning the State Senate and Assembly budget proposals (referred to as the … Continue reading Massive School Funding Threats! Take Action Today

Phone Bank for Education Equity and Universal Child Care


Join us every Tuesday at 4:30 pm in March (one exception, we’ll be meeting Wednesday March 27) for an important phone bank uplifting the public education and child care systems that New York’s working families need. As New York’s legislative leaders, Senate Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie, and their colleagues in the State Legislature are … Continue reading Phone Bank for Education Equity and Universal Child Care

NY’s child care educators must earn a thriving wage


Families and child care educators are counting on Albany to address the ongoing crisis in child care and provider wages in this year’s budget — and that means raising the wages for the child care workforce. But we’re running out of time. Right now, New York’s legislative leaders, Senate Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie, and … Continue reading NY’s child care educators must earn a thriving wage

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