ALBANY, N.Y. (January 10, 2023) — In response to Governor Hochul’s 2023 New York State of the State address, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement:
“The completion of the Foundation Aid phase-in announced by Governor Kathy Hochul today marks a historic milestone for New York State’s public schools, and the beginning of a new and long overdue chapter in the fight for education justice in New York,” said Jasmine Gripper, executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education.
“Thirty years after the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit was filed and 16 years after the Foundation Aid formula was enacted, this year New York State will at long last fully fund public schools — for the first time in its history — with a $2.7 billion increase in Foundation Aid. For decades, this fight has been spearheaded by dedicated parents and students in Black, Brown and low-income communities. The Governor’s commitment to equity for New York’s students is commendable. Her announcement today represents a momentous shift, both politically and in the real-life impact it will have on students in classrooms throughout the state. It is a breath of fresh air that the Governor of New York, the first woman in that role, is upholding her promises to our students.
“AQE is excited to see New York State finally fulfill its commitment to students by fully funding Foundation Aid. This much needed funding will support our neediest schools. New York’s school districts are still grappling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with one-time federal aid running out, the essential programs that have been funded with those dollars will need to be picked up by the state. The state’s infusion of resources, equitably distributed through the Foundation Aid formula, will help enable New York’s students to thrive. We look forward to seeing these resources transform the opportunities and lives of students today and in the generations to come.”