Equity in public education in America has never been freely given - it's something communities have fought for, defended, and strengthened for generations. That fight continues today as public schools and early childhood education programs face relentless attacks at every level of government, from the federal government down to local city budgets.
Public education is being systematically underfunded, undermined, and privatized, hurting the very students and families who rely on it most. These aren't isolated policies. They're part of a coordinated effort to shift resources away from public schools and into the hands of corporate and political interests. Some say too much is spent with little to show, ignoring decades of underfunding based on what the state has been willing to give, not what students have actually needed. Meanwhile, the same people resisting investment in Black, brown, and lower-income children have had no problem funneling more resources towards the ultra-wealthy. We can't let them justify more disinvestment in our children's futures.
Public Education Is Under Attack At Every Level
Federally: Billions meant for public schools are being funneled into privatization schemes, while essential programs like Title I and special education face deep cuts. Meanwhile, military and corporate interests continue to take priority over investments in schools, child care, housing, and healthcare.
Statewide: Thanks to the advocacy of New Yorkers like you, New York's Foundation Aid formula has helped address racial and economic inequities in school funding by directing more resources to Black, brown, and lower-income students and schools. However, under Governor Hochul's Executive Budget Proposal, while smaller districts are slated to see sizable increases, some districts won't receive the increases in Foundation Aid funding they had expected. This shortfall could impact the sustainability of programs these cities had planned for based on previous projections. As budget negotiations continue, we must make sure legislators prioritize adequate and equitable funding for every community.
Locally: Counties, cities, and towns across the state are facing challenges that may jeopardize much needed social safety nets like childcare and housing. Most of them need support from the state and the federal government to provide these services. Now this might be in danger.
A Closer Look At NYC
One clear example of this is New York City, where Mayor Adams' cuts to education and child care mirror the federal push for disinvestment in public education. Earlier this week, as part of The People's Plan, we joined parents, students, advocacy groups, labor unions, and elected officials to demand an end to these cuts and push for a budget that puts people first.
Meanwhile, as calls for Adams' resignation grow louder following his cooperation with Trump-era immigration policies - putting New Yorkers at further risk - leaders like Attorney General Letitia James are standing up for our communities. James has taken legal action to protect public funding from harmful federal cuts, showing what it means to fight for the people while Adams continues to focus on his own self-preservation.
The fight for education justice extends far beyond the five boroughs. It's happening in communities across the state and country.
How You Can Take Action In The Week Ahead
FEDERAL
Join the national call team! Our friends at the Working Families Party are organizing a rapid response team to demand an end to education cuts and many other attacks on our communities.
STATE
Follow Invest in Our New York (IONY) and the Empire State Campaign for Child Care (ESCCC). IONY is pushing back against tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy that threaten vital public programs, while ESCCC is advocating for high-quality, universal child care that values its workforce with thriving wages.
CITY
Stay in the loop about The People's Plan! If you're in NYC, you can send a letter to your elected officials, calling on them to prioritize public education, universal child care, mental health services, housing-first policies, and immigration protections, by using this easy-to-use email template.
Public schools are a pillar of New York's communities. We can't afford to let them be undermined at any level of government. New Yorkers deserve better. Our children deserve better. And together, we'll make sure they get it.
In solidarity,
Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O'Malley
Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education
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