It has made a difference, but there is still more to do. Let’s take a look:
Good News
State aid was increased by more than 5%, the largest jump in the past 6 years. We are incredibly grateful that our legislators realized that in a tax cap environment increases in state aid are critical! Tell them ‘thank you!’
Needs Work
While partially restored, the GEA (Gap Elimination Adjustment) is still taking more than $1 billion away from our schools. This ‘loan’ to our state government – the one that professes to have a $2 billion surplus – must end! Tell them to pay debt first, ‘eliminate the GEA!’
Needs (a lot more) Work
Common Core ‘reform’ trumpeted by the Governor does NOT address any of NYSPTA’s five points of concern, and certainly does not help our students. The moratorium on use of students’ test scores is contradictory: if the value of test outcomes is questionable for use in making student decisions, the same must apply for determining educator effectiveness. Tell them to temporarily ‘suspend links to BOTH student and educator high stakes decisions!’
Ill-conceived testing related to Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) has not been addressed. The concessions that have been made to date are simply distractions from real reform. SED has been charged with providing information and training to educators and parents, but has been provided with zero dollars in support. Tell them to create ‘real Common Core reform!’
Must be Rejected
Not included in the budget but still on the table for discussion this spring is the ‘education scholarship tax credit,’ which is really a wolf in sheep’s clothing and represents ‘politics over public good.’ It seems warm and fuzzy on the outside but would devour public school funding via quasi-vouchers. Tell them NO!
There is a lot of time left in this legislative session. Don’t be distracted by the fact that the budget is done. Legislators are aware of what they are doing and are strategizing the best way to market their plans to make it sound like they benefit everyone. Change can still happen. We must be vigilant in our mission.
I urge you all to continue emailing and calling the legislators to Hear Our VOICE.
Thank you for your continued support!
Lana Ajemian, President
Reflect the past, Transform today, Inspire tomorrow!
president@nyspta.org
