Governor Cuomo, Legislature Must Step Up & Fully Fund Schools

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 9, 2019) — In response to the New York State Board of Regents’ $2 billion education proposal that was released Monday, public education advocacy organization the Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement:

“The New York State Board of Regents, under the leadership of Chancellor Betty Rosa, has created a bold vision for the future of New York’s public schools. Their State Aid proposal is grounded in educational excellence and equity. The Regents’ agenda offers a clear path to fully funding public schools in a manner that recognizes the impact that poverty and systemic racism have on our students,” said Jasmine Gripper, Legislative Director, Alliance for Quality Education.

“The Alliance for Quality Education applauds the Board of Regents and Chancellor Rosa for their strong commitment to equity and New York’s most vulnerable students. This year, we urge the legislature to commit to a two-year phase in of the Foundation Aid formula so the state can finally deliver on its obligation to provide a sound, basic education to all students.

“The Board of Regents notes that New York State has yet to phase in $3.8 billion in remaining Foundation Aid and are proposing a $1.88 billion increase in Foundation Aid this year. We urge the Governor to propose a budget that follows in the footsteps of the Board of Regents, and finally fulfill the commitment that New York State made to our students over a decade ago to fully fund public schools. To date, his refusal to support full and fair funding has left many students, especially Black and Brown students, deprived of educational opportunities that recognize their full worth. We urge the Assembly and the Senate to be as adamant in the commitment to public schools and New York’s students as the Board of Regents has been.”

Foundation Aid constitutes the majority of the proposal because it addresses the educational needs of all students, and prioritizes the needs of English language learners (ELLs), low-income students and students with disabilities. The vast majority of the proposed Foundation Aid increase would go to high-poverty schools with high concentrations of Black and Latinx students. In addition, the Board is proposing funding to review the Foundation Aid formula to strengthen how the state calculates aid based on student need. The proposal also includes an additional funding to fund quality full day pre-K statewide.