NEW YORK, N.Y. (December 3, 2024) – In response to the Rockefeller Institute of Government’s release of a report including recommendations for updating New York’s Foundation Aid formula, public education advocacy organization the Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement:
“Equity and justice are central to our community’s vision, and so we appreciate the Rockefeller Institute of Government’s thoughtful recommendations for updating New York’s Foundation Aid formula. Many of the report’s proposals align with our commitment to addressing the disparities that have long held back students from reaching their full potential. Importantly, the recommendations note that the demands placed on schools have changed dramatically since the formula was first created. In addition, it notes that changes must be made over time, allowing school districts ample time to prepare. The report names the need to adjust the funding formula to better support communities with higher concentrations of poverty, the creation of a categorical aid to address the needs of students with disabilities, and the addition of a range of weights for English language learners. The report also recognizes that students’ needs have changed over time, highlighting the rising mental health and health needs of students, all while underscoring the state’s responsibility to address them. However, as threats to federal education funding loom, we must recognize that no matter how Governor Hochul and the state legislature choose to address these recommendations, New York must honor its constitutional responsibility to ensure every child has access to a quality education. The bottom line is clear: without adequate funding to meet students’ needs, our public education system cannot fulfill its fundamental responsibility.
“The state’s constitutional obligations cannot be overlooked, no matter how Governor Hochul responds to the Rockefeller recommendations. Under current law, New York is projected to provide an additional $1.4 billion in funding for schools in the 2025-2026 school year. The Governor and state legislators cannot use the debate over the Foundation Aid formula to be an excuse for deferring this critical funding nor a reason to delay or withhold the funding that is projected under current law. A well designed funding formula must prioritize adequacy, equity, and fiscal capacity, with targeted resources for students who need it most, particularly low-income students, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities. With uncertainty surrounding federal education funding under an incoming administration, it’s going to be up to our state leaders to make sure that the state fully funds our schools.
“While we appreciate many of the recommendations pronounced in the Rockefeller recommendations, we have concerns regarding its application of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The report’s recommendation to move to a five-year average of the Northeast Region CPI is an improvement over the arbitrary percentage used in the FY 2025 enacted budget. Yet, costs fluctuate year to year, and while an average offers more predictability, it also suppresses the real increases in cost that schools face annually. We urge policymakers to carefully consider the recommended methodologies and ensure that any adjustments to the funding formula reflect the unique conditions faced by districts in New York’s most populous and high need areas.
“New York must remain committed to addressing the needs of its most underserved students. While the Rockefeller recommendations offer a starting point, time is of the essence. The state and Governor Hochul must act with urgency, committing to fully fund public education in a way that is both equitable and adequate. Every child, regardless of background, must have access to the high quality education that New York State has been tasked to provide. At the same time, the state must take the necessary steps to address the true cost of education while making the adjustments needed over the next few years. This is not just a policy choice – it’s a constitutional obligation,” said Marina Marcou-O’Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education.