Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, AQE’s Co-Executive Director, joined a panel at a community town hall in Park Slope, where over 200 Brooklynites gathered to strategize ways to resist the harmful policies of Trump’s second term. The event, hosted by City Councilmember Shahana Hanif, highlighted the urgent need for collective action on immigration, public education, and reproductive rights. … Continue reading Gounardes, Hanif and Simon host town hall
Trump Attacks Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ Students With Executive Order
ALBANY, N.Y. (January 30, 2025) — Public education advocacy group the Alliance for Quality Education issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s executive order on “indoctrination” in public schools: “With its latest Executive Order, the Trump administration is deliberately fueling racism, homophobia, and identity-based hate—all the more reprehensible for couching it in … Continue reading Trump Attacks Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ Students With Executive Order
Trump Attacks Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ Students With Executive Order
ALBANY, N.Y. (January 30, 2025) — Public education advocacy group the Alliance for Quality Education issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s executive order on “indoctrination” in public schools: “With its latest Executive Order, the Trump administration is deliberately fueling racism, homophobia, and identity-based hate—all the more reprehensible for couching it in … Continue reading Trump Attacks Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ Students With Executive Order
State education commissioner says Hochul hasn’t presented ‘clear, long-term vision’ on Foundation Aid
New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa criticized Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan to revamp the Foundation Aid formula, stating it lacks a clear vision and needs further research. Rosa emphasized the need for a long-term, data-driven framework and expressed concerns over the speed of the proposed changes. Additionally, while lawmakers supported Hochul’s bell-to-bell cell phone … Continue reading State education commissioner says Hochul hasn’t presented ‘clear, long-term vision’ on Foundation Aid
NYC schools could lose nearly $350 million under Hochul’s funding proposal, chancellor says
Advocates warn that Governor Hochul’s proposed school funding changes would cost NYC nearly $350 million, disproportionately impacting city schools. Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos urged lawmakers to adjust the formula to account for regional costs and student needs, emphasizing, “We cannot sustain a cut.” She also called for more funding to support a statewide cellphone ban and … Continue reading NYC schools could lose nearly $350 million under Hochul’s funding proposal, chancellor says
Comptroller Lander, Parents, Advocates, and Centers Facing Closure Stand Up for Child Care
The Adams Administration has proposed cutting $300 million from essential early childhood education programs, including 3K, PromiseNYC, and special education services, jeopardizing child care access for New York City’s working families. Comptroller Brad Lander, joined by parents and advocates, including AQE’s own Smitha Milich, criticized the cuts, emphasizing the growing child care affordability crisis and … Continue reading Comptroller Lander, Parents, Advocates, and Centers Facing Closure Stand Up for Child Care
A Budget That Helps New Yorkers a Little Bit Isn’t Good Enough
While Gov. Hochul’s proposed changes to Foundation Aid would drive bigger-than-expected increases to many high need school districts, NYC schools would get $400 million less ALBANY, N.Y. (January 21, 2025) — In response to Governor Hochul’s executive budget announcement, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement: “In her addresses … Continue reading A Budget That Helps New Yorkers a Little Bit Isn’t Good Enough
Editorial: Better Child Care Benefits Every New Yorker
In her budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul has made accessible, quality child care a priority, earmarking $110 million for child care center renovations and a focus on care “deserts.” She’s also working toward universal child care, which could boost the economy, reduce poverty, and help retain workers. However, to truly transform the system, the state … Continue reading Editorial: Better Child Care Benefits Every New Yorker
For a New York We Can Afford, We Need Investments in the Child Care Workforce & Public Schools
ALBANY, N.Y. (January 14, 2025) — In response to Governor Hochul’s State of the State address, public education advocacy organization the Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement: “In her State of the State speech Governor Hochul raised affordability as one of her top priorities, but she missed the mark on how to make … Continue reading For a New York We Can Afford, We Need Investments in the Child Care Workforce & Public Schools
Community Groups, Unions Hold Protest Outside Mayor Adams’ State Of The City Address
A coalition of grassroots community groups, unions, and New Yorkers, including AQE, protested outside Mayor Eric Adams’ State of the City address, condemning policies and budget cuts that harm working-class residents. Joining groups like Freedom Agenda and NYCC, we called for a city that prioritizes education, housing justice, and community-led public safety, while challenging the … Continue reading Community Groups, Unions Hold Protest Outside Mayor Adams’ State Of The City Address