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Mayor Adams, Chancellor Banks to create federally funded magnet high schools

Mayor Eric Adams announced that the NYC education department will allocate nearly $30 million in federal grants to fund six magnet high schools in the Bronx and Manhattan over the next five years. AQE’s Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari expressed skepticism about the long-term impact of the funding, raising concerns about the mayor’s previous budget cuts to education … Continue reading Mayor Adams, Chancellor Banks to create federally funded magnet high schools

NYC charter schools outperform district counterparts in states tests, study shows

The nonprofit NYC Charter School Center’s analysis of English and math test scores in New York City reveals that charter schools, such as Success Academy, outperformed their district counterparts, ranking first in math and third in English statewide. While Eva Moskowitz, the founder and CEO of Success Academy, attributes the success to less bureaucratic red … Continue reading NYC charter schools outperform district counterparts in states tests, study shows

Despite Hochul’s Claims Otherwise, Some School Districts Will Likely Get Less State Aid Under Her Budget Proposal

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 16, 2024) — In response to Governor Hochul’s executive budget address, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following response:  “Despite the Governor’s insistence that her executive proposal today is not a cut, it will likely mean less funding for some schools — not because it doesn’t keep … Continue reading Despite Hochul’s Claims Otherwise, Some School Districts Will Likely Get Less State Aid Under Her Budget Proposal

New York school leaders question Foundation Aid proposal that would alter ‘Save Harmless’ provision

Governor Kathy Hochul is proposing a $35.3 billion school aid package, representing a 2.4% increase over the previous year. A significant point of contention is the “Save Harmless” provision, which aims to prevent districts from experiencing a decrease in Foundation Aid funding. Critics argue that changes to this provision would impact districts with declining enrollment, … Continue reading New York school leaders question Foundation Aid proposal that would alter ‘Save Harmless’ provision

AQE Responds to Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 9, 2024) — In response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement: “The priorities that Governor Hochul outlined for education and child care today do not go far enough to address our childrens’ most pressing needs, from … Continue reading AQE Responds to Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address

What New York educators want in 2024

By Katelyn Cordero in Politico, 1 January 2024. Education advocates in New York seek crucial changes in 2024, focusing on revisions to the foundation aid formula, flexibility in zero-emission school bus mandates, and a fully funded universal school meals program. AQE’s interim Co-Executive Director, Marina Marcou-O’Malley, emphasized the importance of fully funding foundation aid and … Continue reading What New York educators want in 2024

Coalition Building for Change

In the pursuit of our 2024 priorities for education equity, we recently hosted a coalition meeting, bringing together our partners, including Make the Road, Citizen Action, New York Communities for Change, and the New York City Coalition for Educational Justice. This strategic session in Albany allowed our newest members to get familiar with our priorities … Continue reading Coalition Building for Change

Teachers’ union sues Mayor Eric Adams over budget cuts

The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and District Council 37 (DC 37) have separately filed lawsuits against New York City Mayor Eric Adams over budget cuts, challenging the claimed cost projections for asylum seeker services. The UFT alleges that the city illegally reduced its education funding contribution, citing the city’s increased revenue and high reserves, … Continue reading Teachers’ union sues Mayor Eric Adams over budget cuts

NY had biggest public school enrollment drop in U.S. during pandemic

By Emilie Munson in the Times Union, 20 December 2023. This article reports on significant declines in New York’s public school enrollment due to varying reasons as declining birth rates, migration, and changes during the pandemic. It discusses issues like class size laws, funding, and mayoral control, reflecting concerns about reduced funding and challenges in … Continue reading NY had biggest public school enrollment drop in U.S. during pandemic