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NY Budget Put Politics Over Progress, Leaving Children and Families Behind

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 9, 2025) — In response to the finalization of the New York State Budget, public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement: “At a time when federal policies are gutting support for working families, New York had the opportunity to lead. This budget could have delivered real change: … Continue reading NY Budget Put Politics Over Progress, Leaving Children and Families Behind

Hochul’s Late Budget Has Cut New York City’s Families Off From Child Care Support

“Starting today children in New York City are being cut off from the child care vouchers families rely on, all thanks to the political impasse that Governor Kathy Hochul has orchestrated over the late state budget — now the latest budget New York has had in 15 years,” said Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O’Malley, Co-Executive … Continue reading Hochul’s Late Budget Has Cut New York City’s Families Off From Child Care Support

AQE Responds to Governor Hochul’s Proposal to Weaken New York’s Substantial Equivalency Law

New York’s leaders should reject any deal that weakens substantial equivalence and the state’s responsibility to ensure a sound basic education for all students. Every young person – regardless of the school they attend – has the right to an education that includes core subjects like English and math. These subjects are not just academic … Continue reading AQE Responds to Governor Hochul’s Proposal to Weaken New York’s Substantial Equivalency Law

AQE Responds to Governor Hochul’s Budget Announcement

Black, brown, lower-income, and immigrant communities needed transformative investments: an updated Foundation Aid formula to ensure equitable school funding, significant investment in universal child care, and real economic justice. Instead, the announcement of the budget deal reflects incremental progress and continued compromises, leaving too many uncertain about their future. This repeated cycle of uncertainty over … Continue reading AQE Responds to Governor Hochul’s Budget Announcement

‘Devastating’: Child care advocates worry about imminent funding cliff

More than 10 upstate New York counties have already shut down enrollment in child care assistance programs due to a looming $276 million funding shortfall, with more closures expected in the coming months. Despite growing demand fueled by expanded eligibility, state funding has remained largely flat, threatening access for tens of thousands of families and … Continue reading ‘Devastating’: Child care advocates worry about imminent funding cliff

NYC Council wants $800 million more for education than Eric Adams proposed

New York City’s Council is pushing for nearly $800 million in additional education funding to ensure students – from early childhood through college – have access to the opportunities a quality education provides. Their proposal includes restoring funding for 3-K and Pre-K, expanding child care vouchers, supporting CUNY, and sustaining K-12 programs like mental health … Continue reading NYC Council wants $800 million more for education than Eric Adams proposed

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

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.