Schenectady City School District is deciding on next year’s budget — and the Interim Superintendent wants to make cuts. On the chopping block are positions that are vital to furthering equity and culturally responsive education in Schenectady. The Interim Superintendent has proposed a plan for staff reductions that would eliminate the Office of Curriculum and Instruction. This … Continue reading Education equity is under threat in Schenectady
Education advocates respond to Governor Cuomo’s announcement to collaborate with the Gates Foundation to reimagine education
Education advocates respond to Governor Cuomo’s announcement to collaborate with the Gates Foundation to reimagine education ALBANY, N.Y. (May 5, 2020) — In response to Governor Cuomo’s announcement that New York State will collaborate with the Gates Foundation to reimagine education, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement: “Governor … Continue reading Education advocates respond to Governor Cuomo’s announcement to collaborate with the Gates Foundation to reimagine education
COVID-19 threatens New York’s progress on universal pre-K
Click here to download the below letter as a pdf. Dear Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Stewart Cousins and Assembly Speaker Heastie, We are writing on behalf of early childhood and public school educators, parents, and advocates across New York State to urge you to NOT cut funding for the state’s prekindergarten, preschool special education … Continue reading COVID-19 threatens New York’s progress on universal pre-K
Adapting to Online Advocacy
The final weeks of March in New York are always AQE’s busiest, as the New York State budget deadline approaches and our advocacy for public schools kicks into high gear. This year was no different — until suddenly and unexpectedly, it was.
Urgent action to stop Cuomo’s cuts to public schools!
Governor Cuomo is about to make devastating cuts to public school funding, as early as next week. When they passed the budget earlier this month, State Legislators handed unprecedented power to the Governor to alter the state budget throughout the year. As we approach the first budget-revision deadline on April 30th, Cuomo has released a “plan” … Continue reading Urgent action to stop Cuomo’s cuts to public schools!
NY schools are facing threats of more cuts
When lawmakers voted on the state budget on April 1, they handed unprecedented power to Governor Cuomo, giving him three opportunities throughout the year to alter the state budget with minimal input from legislators. Incredibly, just a few short weeks later, the first of those three deadlines — April 30 —is already upon us. With tax … Continue reading NY schools are facing threats of more cuts
During a Health Crisis, Leaders Demonstrate a Lack of Leadership
New York City, NY (April 11th, 2020)— Early today, Mayor Bill DeBlasio under the advice of public health experts, announced that schools would be closed for the remainder of the school year due to the raging coronavirus pandemic. At the epicenter of the decision is the crippling impact the virus has had on our city and people. … Continue reading During a Health Crisis, Leaders Demonstrate a Lack of Leadership
We can’t stop fighting
The 2020-2021 state budget was voted on just a week ago, but the fight is far from over. The enacted budget included nothing to address our children’s educational, social and emotional needs, especially amidst the devastation that COVID-19 is spreading in our communities. With a zero percent increase, the budget leaves school districts exposed to … Continue reading We can’t stop fighting
New York State Education Budget: What We Needed, and What We Got
NY legislators must reject the budget!
Most of the budget bills are out, and waiting to be voted on. What we know so far is devastating. This budget will cut funding for schools that are in urgent need or more resources, not less. It could cut funding for hospitals amidst a pandemic. The legislature is still considering rolling back the historic bail reform … Continue reading NY legislators must reject the budget!