Presumptive Eligibility Bill Waits on Governor Hochul

There is another critical piece of legislation that would help break down barriers to child care assistance for families, currently awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature. The presumptive eligibility bill will allow families to access child care assistance while they await processing of their applications. For many families, this would help prevent parents from missing out on job … Continue reading Presumptive Eligibility Bill Waits on Governor Hochul

A $30,000 Question: Who Will Get a Free Preschool Seat in New York City?

After Mayor Eric Adams made cuts to free preschool for 3-year-olds, families faced more uncertainty and the possibility of larger child care bills. This change has sparked a competition to secure seats, causing a great deal of worry for lower- and middle-income families. Read the full article.

NYSUT and partners launch One-in-Five campaign to combat cycle of childhood poverty

The One-in-Five coalition, consisting of NYSUT and a coalition of stakeholders, is advocating for legislative measures to address childhood poverty in the state, including the Working Families Tax Credit, Mothers and Lasting Change, support for Medicaid services in schools, affordable housing, universal school meals, and $100 million in categorical funding for community schools. AQE’s Marina … Continue reading NYSUT and partners launch One-in-Five campaign to combat cycle of childhood poverty

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

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