PRESS STATEMENT: New Yorkers Unite in Mass March to Send Clear Message: United, We Will Protect our Futures

NEW YORK, N.Y. (November 9, 2024) – In response to this week’s general election results and its threat to our freedoms, public education advocacy organization the Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement: “Today, thousands of New Yorkers marched from Columbus Circle to Bryant Park, sending a powerful message: We stand united to protect each … Continue reading PRESS STATEMENT: New Yorkers Unite in Mass March to Send Clear Message: United, We Will Protect our Futures

Presumptive Eligibility Bill Waits on Governor Hochul

There is another critical piece of legislation that would help break down barriers to child care assistance for families, currently awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature. The presumptive eligibility bill will allow families to access child care assistance while they await processing of their applications. For many families, this would help prevent parents from missing out on job … Continue reading Presumptive Eligibility Bill Waits on Governor Hochul

AQE Responds to College Protests on Genocide in Gaza

NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 6, 2024) — Public education advocacy organization the Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement on the protests happening at college campuses across the country in response to the genocide in Gaza:  “We at AQE believe in, and exercise, our right to protest, and believe that students have this right. … Continue reading AQE Responds to College Protests on Genocide in Gaza

NYSUT and partners launch One-in-Five campaign to combat cycle of childhood poverty

The One-in-Five coalition, consisting of NYSUT and a coalition of stakeholders, is advocating for legislative measures to address childhood poverty in the state, including the Working Families Tax Credit, Mothers and Lasting Change, support for Medicaid services in schools, affordable housing, universal school meals, and $100 million in categorical funding for community schools. AQE’s Marina … Continue reading NYSUT and partners launch One-in-Five campaign to combat cycle of childhood poverty

What New York educators want in 2024

By Katelyn Cordero in Politico, 1 January 2024. Education advocates in New York seek crucial changes in 2024, focusing on revisions to the foundation aid formula, flexibility in zero-emission school bus mandates, and a fully funded universal school meals program. AQE’s interim Co-Executive Director, Marina Marcou-O’Malley, emphasized the importance of fully funding foundation aid and … Continue reading What New York educators want in 2024

Coalition Building for Change

In the pursuit of our 2024 priorities for education equity, we recently hosted a coalition meeting, bringing together our partners, including Make the Road, Citizen Action, New York Communities for Change, and the New York City Coalition for Educational Justice. This strategic session in Albany allowed our newest members to get familiar with our priorities … Continue reading Coalition Building for Change

NY had biggest public school enrollment drop in U.S. during pandemic

By Emilie Munson in the Times Union, 20 December 2023. This article reports on significant declines in New York’s public school enrollment due to varying reasons as declining birth rates, migration, and changes during the pandemic. It discusses issues like class size laws, funding, and mayoral control, reflecting concerns about reduced funding and challenges in … Continue reading NY had biggest public school enrollment drop in U.S. during pandemic

Moving New York Toward Educational Equity

This report sheds light on a pivotal moment in New York State’s education history. For the first time in its history, high-need majority Black and Latinx school districts across New York are receiving the long-overdue funding needed to provide students with a “sound basic education.” This achievement is a testament to the unwavering efforts of … Continue reading Moving New York Toward Educational Equity