Advocates are calling on New York lawmakers to invest no less than $500 million in the Child Care Assistance Program and at least another $500 million to create a permanent fund for early childhood educator pay. Without urgent action, thousands of families could lose access to child care within weeks, and the ongoing staffing crisis … Continue reading Governor Hochul must do right by working families and invest in child care now
Governor’s Last-Minute Political Budget Maneuvering Comes at Expense of Children and Families
ALBANY, N.Y. (April 8, 2025) – In response to reports that Governor Hochul has proposed a changing elections requirements so that candidates for governors and lieutenant governors must run on the same ticket in the primary, the public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education issued the following statement: “As New York grapples with a … Continue reading Governor’s Last-Minute Political Budget Maneuvering Comes at Expense of Children and Families
The big deal facing charter schools
The Supreme Court will soon hear a case about whether a proposed Catholic charter school in Oklahoma can legally operate as a religious institution, raising major questions about the separation of church and state. Charter advocates fear the case might redefine charters as private schools, potentially threatening their public funding—but those of us supporting truly … Continue reading The big deal facing charter schools
Teachers Unions, State Officials Urging Families To Fight Back Against Federal Education Cuts
At a recent rally, we raised our voices in coalition against proposed federal cuts to vital programs like Title 1 and IDEA. These cuts, which threaten to underfund critical resources for lower-income students and those with disabilities, would have devastating effects on communities across the country. Such cuts would leave schools scrambling, stretching educators thin … Continue reading Teachers Unions, State Officials Urging Families To Fight Back Against Federal Education Cuts
Schools have 10 days to comply with Trump anti-DEI policy or face losing federal funds
The Trump administration has intensified its efforts to eliminate DEI in schools by requiring states and districts to certify they’ve ended such practices or risk losing billions in federal education funding, including support for Title I, special education, Head Start, and school meals. The directive is backed by a legal analysis referencing the Supreme Court’s … Continue reading Schools have 10 days to comply with Trump anti-DEI policy or face losing federal funds
Trump Admin. Tells Schools: No Federal Funds If You’re Using DEI
The Trump administration is pressuring states and school districts to sign certification disavowing DEI initiatives or risk losing federal education funding – a move critics say misrepresents civil rights law and is intended to chill lawful, equity-focused efforts in schools. Despite lacking a clear definition of DEI, the administration is aggressively using federal authority to … Continue reading Trump Admin. Tells Schools: No Federal Funds If You’re Using DEI
NYC needs universal child care now
Morris Pearl, a former BlackRock executive and member of Patriotic Millionaires, argues that New York’s extreme wealth inequality is fueled by a rigged tax system that favors the ultra-rich while working families struggle. Pearl advocates for the Invest in Our New York campaign, which offers a fair, popular solution: raise taxes on the wealthiest and … Continue reading NYC needs universal child care now
New Report Shows Cost of Gov. Hochul’s Foundation Aid Changes for High-Need Districts
ALBANY, N.Y. (March 28, 2025) – A newly released report by the Alliance for Quality Education highlights the detrimental effects of Governor Hochul’s proposed changes to the Foundation Aid formula, showing that making these modifications on their own would result in the loss of hundreds of millions in funding from some of New York’s most … Continue reading New Report Shows Cost of Gov. Hochul’s Foundation Aid Changes for High-Need Districts
NYC school funding fight: Hochul’s budget plan faces pushback over $350 million shortfall
New York state lawmakers are pushing back against Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to reduce funding for New York City schools by $350 million, which stems from a change to the state’s Foundation Aid formula. Referencing AQE’s latest report, “Getting the Foundation Aid Formula Right,” this article presents our argument that the Governor’s proposal doesn’t go … Continue reading NYC school funding fight: Hochul’s budget plan faces pushback over $350 million shortfall
Thousands of NYC families could lose child care vouchers amid nearly $1 billion funding shortfall
Thousands of low-income families in New York City could lose access to child care if the state doesn’t fill a nearly $1 billion funding gap in its voucher program, threatening support for up to 7,000 families each month. The shortfall stems from the end of pandemic-era federal aid and rising demand, and without new state … Continue reading Thousands of NYC families could lose child care vouchers amid nearly $1 billion funding shortfall