As we head into year 11 of the fight for Solutions NOT Suspensions... On Wednesday evening, we gathered in Albany for a screening of Dr. Karen Baptiste’s Preschool to Prison documentary and a conversation about what it’ll take to change school discipline in New York. The film showed painfully clearly what happens when students are pushed out of the places where they should be learning and supported, and asked us to look harder at who gets seen as a threat in the classroom in the first place. Racial bias shapes whose behavior is treated as dangerous and whose safety gets centered, which is part of why this fight has been so hard and remains so necessary. Here are a few photos from the room full of people who showed up for something better. Senator Pat Fahy and Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, who sponsored the evening’s screening and discussion. Guests gathering over dinner and conversation, including Citizen Action of New York's community organizer Eduardo. For eleven years, the Solutions Not Suspensions (SNS) coalition has worked with legislative champions, led by Senator Robert Jackson and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, to pass this bill. Eleven years is far too long to keep taking learning time away from students through discipline policies that fall disproportionately on Black and brown students and students with disabilities. AQE staff Soraya, Marina, and Kayla enjoying the evening and the kind of community-building we hope will help move Solutions Not Suspensions over the finish line in 2027. Panelists: Evie, an Albany public school student; Dr. Sophia Tan, Albany Law School; Annette Johnson, NAACP; Racquel Saddler, Mercury Public Affairs. Take Action Now We’re looking to Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget this January to set the floor for this session, with the Solutions Not Suspensions Act and $50 million for implementation included from the start. Take two minutes now to tell the Governor and your state legislators to back that call, then send the link to someone you know and ask them to do the same. There are plenty of powerful voices with Albany’s ear, but ours gets harder to ignore when we raise it together. In solidarity, Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education Register to attend the Diapers to Diplomas: Reimagining the Continuum of Learning, Care and Opportunity conference on October 15 and 16 in New York City. Register today to secure your spot.

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