The Trump administration is pressuring states and school districts to sign certification disavowing DEI initiatives or risk losing federal education funding – a move critics say misrepresents civil rights law and is intended to chill lawful, equity-focused efforts in schools. Despite lacking a clear definition of DEI, the administration is aggressively using federal authority to … Continue reading Trump Admin. Tells Schools: No Federal Funds If You’re Using DEI
NYC needs universal child care now
Morris Pearl, a former BlackRock executive and member of Patriotic Millionaires, argues that New York’s extreme wealth inequality is fueled by a rigged tax system that favors the ultra-rich while working families struggle. Pearl advocates for the Invest in Our New York campaign, which offers a fair, popular solution: raise taxes on the wealthiest and … Continue reading NYC needs universal child care now
New Report Shows Cost of Gov. Hochul’s Foundation Aid Changes for High-Need Districts
ALBANY, N.Y. (March 28, 2025) – A newly released report by the Alliance for Quality Education highlights the detrimental effects of Governor Hochul’s proposed changes to the Foundation Aid formula, showing that making these modifications on their own would result in the loss of hundreds of millions in funding from some of New York’s most … Continue reading New Report Shows Cost of Gov. Hochul’s Foundation Aid Changes for High-Need Districts
NYC school funding fight: Hochul’s budget plan faces pushback over $350 million shortfall
New York state lawmakers are pushing back against Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to reduce funding for New York City schools by $350 million, which stems from a change to the state’s Foundation Aid formula. Referencing AQE’s latest report, “Getting the Foundation Aid Formula Right,” this article presents our argument that the Governor’s proposal doesn’t go … Continue reading NYC school funding fight: Hochul’s budget plan faces pushback over $350 million shortfall
Thousands of NYC families could lose child care vouchers amid nearly $1 billion funding shortfall
Thousands of low-income families in New York City could lose access to child care if the state doesn’t fill a nearly $1 billion funding gap in its voucher program, threatening support for up to 7,000 families each month. The shortfall stems from the end of pandemic-era federal aid and rising demand, and without new state … Continue reading Thousands of NYC families could lose child care vouchers amid nearly $1 billion funding shortfall
What Losing Child Care Would Mean to These Parents
New York City’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is facing a severe budget shortfall, potentially leaving thousands of parents without crucial child care vouchers, a situation that would impact families statewide. Parents interviewed explained that losing this support would force them to either quit their jobs or struggle to afford child care, significantly affecting their … Continue reading What Losing Child Care Would Mean to These Parents
AQE Responds to Trump’s Attempt to Close the Department of Education
AQE’s response to Trump’s executive order to close the Department of Education was published in Public. We condemned the President’s move as part of a broader agenda to dismantle public institutions and called on Congress and New York leaders to protect vulnerable students and schools. Read the full statement.
AQE Responds to Trump’s Attempt to Close the Department of Education
ALBANY, N.Y. (March 20, 2025) — Public education advocacy group the Alliance for Quality Education issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s executive order closing the Department of Education: “Congress—not the president—determines which agencies remain open or are shut down. This administration’s strategy is to exhaust us with repeated attacks on our … Continue reading AQE Responds to Trump’s Attempt to Close the Department of Education
NYC school leaders tight-lipped on contingency plans amid threats of federal funding cuts
New York City’s public school system is grappling with potential cuts to both federal and state funding, including a proposed reduction of $350 million in Foundation Aid under Governor Hochul’s plan. While federal funding, particularly Title I, plays a crucial role in supporting schools with high concentrations of poverty, the uncertainty around these funding streams … Continue reading NYC school leaders tight-lipped on contingency plans amid threats of federal funding cuts
Trump to sign order Thursday aimed at eliminating Education Department
President Trump is set to sign an executive order aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling a key campaign promise. While the order directs his education secretary to begin the process, the department cannot be fully eliminated without congressional action. This move is expected to face legal challenges, and the department will continue … Continue reading Trump to sign order Thursday aimed at eliminating Education Department